Rep. Kean Introduces Bill to Fine Insurers for Mental Health Coverage Violations
The House Committee on Education and Workforce is the next group that must review this bill. It has not moved since June 30, 2026. Most bills like this do not receive a committee vote and often stall at this stage.
While mental health is a popular topic, bills that create new fines for businesses often face tough opposition and most never make it out of committee.
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The bill expands who can be fined for parity violations beyond just the company sponsoring the health plan to include plan administrators and service providers, which includes many small businesses that sponsor group health plans for employees. These employers may face new compliance costs and legal exposure if their plans are found to violate mental health parity rules.
“any plan sponsor, service provider, or plan administrator of a group health plan”
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. revealed his absence was due to inpatient treatment for depression. Upon his return, he introduced legislation to strengthen federal mental health parity requirements by allowing the Labor Secretary to impose civil penalties on insurance plans that fail to provide equal care.
The Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act would give the Labor Department a penalty mechanism and $30 million in annual funding through 2031. It expands liability to plan administrators and service providers to ensure mental health services are treated the same as physical health care.
Following a 116-day absence for depression treatment, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. introduced H.R. 9551. The bill targets the 'parity gap' by authorizing fines for insurers. Critics noted the contradiction between this bill and Kean's past votes to reduce Medicaid funding for mental health services.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act
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