Children diagnosed with illness ought to be able to get available treatment when their doctor recommends it. Unfortunately, for too many kids with mental health challenges, their health insurers’ refusal to treat their concerns the same as physical health concerns stands in the way of them getting care they need to thrive.
When children receive necessary mental health care most are able to function successfully at home, in school, and in their community. There have been some great strides forward in the past decade at the federal level to ensure that when children need mental health services, they get them at the same level as they do physical health services. Now, Texas children need the state to ensure that federal mental health protections are enforced by the Texas Department of Insurance.