CQ (1/19, Norman, Subscription Publication) reported that “Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Friday that a delayed final rule on equal insurance coverage for mental health services will be issued this year, and she stressed that officials are working to ensure that the regulation is integrated with the health care law.” She also told the crowd, at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, “that 65 million adults will have mental health coverage once the overhaul law goes fully into effect in 2014,” and that “health and substance abuse coverage is required in” the essential health benefits mandated by the law. Of the long wait for the rules, Sebelius said “I think the timing is actually going to be very helpful,” adding “that interim final rules have been out since February 2010 and have offered some general guidance.” She continued, promising more specifics soon, “Definitely this year. We are in the process of finalizing them now. It will be done.”
