Health Care Reform and Mental Health Benefits in the USA: A Measure of Success

Throughout the US health care reform process, members of the alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health working group of President Clinton's Task Force were reminded that the fate of mental health benefits was linked to the success or failure of the larger reform process itself. Compromise was required to achieve the limited benefits within the president's Health Security Act, but the benefit package was universal and viewed as the best possible under the circumstances. In spite of the defeat of the health care reform effort, the mental health profession enjoyed incremental success in five areas. (March 2005)