United States
|
OPM released a memo to the Personnel Directors of Executive Departments and Agencies on July 13, 2000, soliciting agency assistance in implementing mental health parity in the FEHB Program for 2001. Memo as a [Opinion Editorial The Director of the Office of Personnel Management . . .
Within a few short months, our nation will be firmly planted in the 21st century, the start of an era that one suspects will be filled with limitless possibilities.
As Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources agency for the federal government -- our nation's biggest employer-- I too look forward to the changes lying ahead. In particular, I anticipate helping President Clinton and Vice President Gore achieve their vision of a federal government that is more caring and compassionate, and creates opportunities for all its citizens.
One group in particular that faces a challenge is those who suffer from mental illness.
Unfortunately, mental illness carries an isolating stigma. Yet, according to one estimate from the National Institute of Mental Health, 22 percent of Americans 18 and older suffer from some form of mental disorder in any given year. Most of these disorders are treatable. Yet the negative stereotypes of our society towards this group still plagues us.
Tipper Gore, the President's mental health policy advisor, says that myths and misinformation about mental and addictive disorders are far too common. The time has come to end the discrimination that has prevented people from seeking the treatment for mental conditions that can help them live healthy productive lives. The President agrees, and last January announced the first-ever White House Conference on Mental Health to raise awareness, dispel myths and seek meaningful solutions.
The President also charged my agency with exploring measures in the federal sector to create fairness in our hiring practices and health insurance benefits for federal employees, retirees, and their family members. On this issue, like many others, President Clinton wants the federal government to serve as a model for the private sector.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has been pleased to respond. In fact, over the past several years, OPM has been working with the 285 health plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the nation's largest employer-sponsored health insurance program, to move toward parity for mental health and substance abuse coverage.
We are proud of our achievements. Through a collaborative process, we have eliminated lifetime and annual maximums for mental health care, and negotiated with health plans to move away from contractual day and visit limitations, and high out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. And this year, medical visits and testing to monitor drug treatment for mental conditions were covered as pharmaceutical disease management
Today, at the start of this first White House Conference on Mental Health, we take the final step to provide equal coverage for both mental and physical illnesses. We know this will go a long way in making mental health treatment more affordable for those who need it.
In addition to creating a more equitable health care model, OPM was also asked to explore options to create greater employment opportunities for Americans that suffer from psychiatric disabilities. Breakthroughs in science, research and medicine have made it possible for many people who live with mental illness to deal with their disorders and lead productive lives. America can not afford to pass over any individual with contributions to make.
As a result of this effort, President Clinton recently signed an executive order which changes the civil service rules to ensure that people with psychiatric disabilities are evaluated and hired by federal agencies using the same standards as those with severe physical disabilities or mental retardation.
The President and Vice President's commitment will provide many more Americans with an opportunity they otherwise may not have.
Our nation needs all of its available talent to remain competitive in the global economy of the next millennium. We encourage all employers to join us in this critical effort. If America is to reach its great aspirations for the 21st century, it will take the full-time commitment of all Americans.
Expanding opportunity for all has always been the cornerstone of our nation. As we prepare to enter an exciting new era, let us remember this solemn commitment to one another and support all Americans as they strive to reach their full potential.
We have posted the slides from a presentation entitled Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity in the FEHB Program given at the Benefits Interchange 2000 Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. This presentation is available in four formats:
- Accessible HTML Version
- Formatted HTML Version
- Adobe Acrobat PDF Version
- Power Point Version (usable only if you have PowerPoint software)
- OPM News Release
- The White House At Work
- Executive Order
- Fact Sheet on Mental Health Parity
- Fact Sheet on Hiring Practices
- Letter to Health Plan Carriers
- Report to OPM on Large Employer Experiences and Best Practices in Design, Administration, and Evaluation of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefits (295K PDF File)
Updated 23 January 2001