Mental Health: Small Business Coverage
Mental illness is a biological brain disorder — a physical illness of the brain — a human organ, just like the heart or lungs or liver. But mental health advocates have been fighting an uphill battle to get mental health included in health insurance plans.
Thirty-four states have passed so-called mental health parity laws, that either suggest or require that health insurers include mental health services in their plans. But, advocates say, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005 will undermine those efforts. Under the bill, so-called Association Health Plans – those collectives of small businesses — would be exempt from individual state insurance regulations including mental health parity laws. WBHM’s Tanya Ott talked with Jeff Baxter of the Mental Health Association of Central Alabama and Shannon Weston, executive director of the Alabama chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
The house passed the Small Business Health Fairness Act this week by a vote of 263-to-165. The Senate must still take up the measure.
Venezuela’s exiles in Chile caught between hope and uncertainty
Initial joy among Venezuela's diaspora in Chile has given way to caution, as questions grow over what Maduro's capture means for the country — and for those who fled it.
Inside a Gaza medical clinic at risk of shutting down after an Israeli ban
A recent Israeli decision to bar Doctors Without Borders and other aid groups means international staff and aid can no longer enter Gaza or the West Bank. Local staff must rely on dwindling supplies and no international expertise.
Iran warns US troops and Israel will be targets if America strikes over protests as death toll rises
Iran's parliament speaker warned the U.S. military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if America strikes the Islamic Republic, as threatened by President Donald Trump.
Nationwide anti-ICE protests call for accountability after Renee Good’s death
Activist organizations are planning at least 1,000 protests and vigils this weekend. Officials in major cities cast Saturday's demonstrations as largely peaceful.
Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for ‘The Thing’ and ‘Punky Brewster,’ dies at 69
T.K. Carter gained fame as Nauls the cook in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic, "The Thing."
Who is Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince encouraging demonstrations across Iran?
In exile for nearly 50 years, Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued calls urging Iranians to join protests sweeping the country. But support for him may not be clear cut.
