Historically, mental health services have been poorly funded; however, this is an issue currently being addressed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, the individual mandate of health insurance coverage must provide psychiatric and behavioral health benefits as well as provide for coverage parity. However, the level of coverage has not been specified. With that in mind, please respond to the following:
Without more specificity as to the type of mental health services covered, will the inclusion under the ACA make a difference to those seeking care, or will the barriers remain?
What type of specificity should have been included? Explain your rationale.
