Opinion: Mental Health Bill Needs Rehabilitation Provision

In a Palm Springs Desert Sun opinion piece, California Treatment Advocacy Foundation Executive Director Phillip Greer writes that a bill (AB 154) -- by Assembly member Jim Beall (D-San Jose) -- that would expand mental health services covered by private insurers should be "amended to protect those individuals specifically in need of alcohol and drug rehabilitation, but who are often denied such care by their health insurance carriers." Greer writes, "For far too long, health insurance companies have imposed barriers that reduce access to much-need chemical dependency treatment."

• "Valley Voice: Insurance Firms Should Cover Rehab Programs" (Greer, Palm Springs Desert Sun, 4/16).