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California Lawmakers Advance Bills for Better Mental Health Access

3/20/2025

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Lawmakers Enhance Mental Health

California lawmakers are pushing forward with vital bills to improve behavioral health coverage. Key proposals include mandating insurers to reveal denial data, eliminating prior authorization for inpatient mental health care, and postponing eligibility reviews for substance use treatment. These initiatives seek to tackle public frustration and ensure better access to essential mental health services.

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Moreno Proposes Penalty

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno is taking a stand in Washington, D.C., proposing a bold new law that would impose a hefty 25% penalty on health insurance companies for each claim denial they successfully appeal. With a staggering 20% of Affordable Care Act claims denied and fewer than 1% appealed, this move aims to protect patients and healthcare providers from the financial strain of unjust denials.

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Lawmakers Enhance Mental Health

California lawmakers are pushing forward with vital bills to improve behavioral health coverage. Key proposals include mandating insurers to reveal denial data, eliminating prior authorization for inpatient mental health care, and postponing eligibility reviews for substance use treatment. These initiatives seek to tackle public frustration and ensure better access to essential mental health services.

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