Lawmakers look to strengthen mental health parity law

Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that would tune up the state's mental health parity law. That law is a decade-old measure designed to make sure health insurers cover illnesses of the mind to an equal degree as those of the body.

Lawmakers say they're unhappy that major health insurers in the state have ``carved out,'' or subcontracted the management of mental health insurance claims, sometimes to out-of-state companies.

Some believe that has raised questions about how well the parity law is being implemented.

The bill under review would give the state's Department of Banking, Insuarance, Securities and Health Care Administration new authority to regulate the health insurance industry.

An official with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Vermont questions the need for the bill.