Unfortunately, HB1085, the bill that would improve access to mental and behavioral health by forcing private insurers to pay therapists for those services at the same rate as physical health care providers, didn’t pass. The bill had strong momentum—thanks in part to our folks sending in more than 500 witness slips in about an hour and a half on the last day of session—but ultimately didn’t make it to the floor.
This is disappointing but not the end of the road. With our allies, we advanced the bill further than in prior sessions, getting it out of the House and the Senate executive committee. Our work won strong support from key decision-makers in Springfield over the past several months, and although the bill number may change, the mission remains the same. We’ll reflect on what we’ve learned, have more conversations with allies to determine new ways to move this forward, and be in touch when we have some next steps.
