What was the primary purpose of the Mental Health Parity Act (MPHA) of 1996?

The primary purpose of the Mental Health Parity Act (MPHA) of 1996 was to establish parity between mental health benefits and other health benefits provided by insurance plans. This legislation aimed to ensure that limitations applied to mental health benefits could not be more restrictive than those applied to medical and surgical benefits. Before the MPHA, many insurance plans imposed stricter limitations and conditions on mental health treatment compared to physical health treatment, resulting in unequal access to care.

By mandating that mental health benefits be treated on par with other medical benefits, the MPHA sought to promote equitable treatment options, reduce stigma associated with mental health issues, and encourage individuals to seek necessary mental health treatment without facing excessive costs or barriers. Therefore, the act significantly contributed to the movement toward recognizing and addressing mental health needs as a critical component of overall health care.