In continuing coverage, Medscape (11/15, Brauser) reports reaction to the final rule (pdf) released last week “on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act has been mainly positive.” For example, Paul Summergrad, MD, president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), stated, “We think this is an important set of steps going forward and think there are many things there that will benefit patients and their doctors.” But, Henry Harbin, MD, who is “a member of the APA Workgroup on Health Reform and Parity, added that although the final rule is a positive step, more work needs to be done, especially because guidelines about Medicaid plans have not yet been determined.”
