Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law April 4 that requires payers to cover mental healthcare the same as they cover physical healthcare, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
The new law goes into effect July 1. The state will enforce existing federal law that requires parity in health coverage and forgive student loans for mental health providers who work in underserved areas of Georgia. Public and private payers will also have to file reports on parity to the commissioners of the Georgia public health and insurance departments.
Mental and physical healthcare parity is required under a 2008 federal law, but anecdotal evidence in Georgia shows that is not occuring, according to the AJC.
"Today we take the next step, a monumental step toward a Georgia where every person receives the help they need to fight and overcome whatever personal problem they may face," Mr. Kemp said. "Today we make sure they do not fight alone."