When President Bush signed into law the $700 billion economic bailout bill Oct. 3, print, broadcast and online news outlets trumpeted the story across the country. But buried in the avalanche of coverage was news of an unrelated law contained within the bailout package that has important implications for most employers.
The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires companies that employ more than 50 people and provide mental illness or substance abuse treatment coverage to do so on the same terms as their physical illness coverage.
