Michael, wouldn't this law, if enacted, counter existing law already on the books? Isn't there a law about pain and the humane treatment of those in extreme pain?

Jim -

Interesting point. Except as to "parity" in mental health care, I was not aware of such a statute, but having checked it out, you may well be thinking about this provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare,” or the “ACA.”):

SEC. 2706. NON-DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE.

(a) PROVIDERS.—A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the plan or coverage against any health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider’s license or certification under applicable State law. This section shall not require that a group health plan or health insurance issuer contract with any health care provider willing to abide by the terms and conditions for participation established by the plan or issuer. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a group health plan, a health insurance issuer, or the Secretary from establishing varying reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures.

Section 2706 (now codified as 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-5) goes into effect in 2014 and covers virtually all individual and group insurance market policies, although it is not clear whether it will apply to existing policies “grandfathered” in 2010 by the ACA.

So, that's a good catch on your part, assuming (1) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act actually goes into effect in 2014, and (2) any pernicious FDA labeling changes don't take effect in the interim.

Or, in the immortal word of Dirty Hairy, "Are you feeling lucky?"

Mike

ok. sent in my comment. Thanks for all the information.