| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to a parity complaint portal and educational materials and parity law training regarding benefits for mental health conditions and substance use disorders to be made available through the portal and otherwise; designating October as mental health condition and substance use disorder parity awareness month.
Estimated Twoyear Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2595, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted : an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
HB 2595 would require the Commissioner of Insurance to develop and maintain a parity complaint portal that allows an enrollee of a health benefit plan to submit complaints of suspected violations of existing law regarding health benefit coverage for serious mental health illness and substance use disorders.
The commissioner would be required to conduct an assessment of complaint portals and similar systems used by other relevant public or private entities to determine best practices for complaint submissions and tracking. The commissioner would also be required to develop educational materials and parity law training sessions regarding the coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
The bill would also designate October as Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Awareness Month.
Texas Action opposes HB 2595 because it violates the principle of limited government. This bill would grow government by requiring a state agency to develop and maintain a complaint portal and develop materials to educate insurers on parity coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.