Legislation would mandate mental health cover for government health plans

Legislation introduced in Congress would close a gap in health insurance coverage for many state and local employees that allows self-insured government plans to opt out of providing coverage for mental health and addiction treatment, reports 19th News. Teachers, government workers, firefighters, police and other public servants have faced crushing stress and challenges during the pandemic. And yet, many have insurance that does not cover mental health services or critical health care.