ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force

This memorandum establishes an interagency Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force to coordinate implementation of federal parity protections ensuring mental health and substance use disorder coverage is comparable to medical/surgical care. The Task Force, chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director and comprising nine agency heads, is charged with identifying best practices, addressing guidance gaps, and submitting a public report by October 31, 2016.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 19015

Impact dates

  1. Task Force report to President on findings and recommendations

Key directives

  • Establish interagency Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force
  • Director of Domestic Policy Council to serve as Chair
  • HHS to provide funding and administrative support
  • Task Force to identify best practices for parity compliance and implementation
  • Task Force to identify and address gaps in guidance, particularly substance use disorder parity
  • Task Force to conduct outreach to patients, advocates, providers, employers, insurers, state regulators, and other stakeholders
  • Task Force to present report to President before October 31, 2016, to be made public
  • Agency heads to assist and provide information to Task Force
  • Secretary of HHS to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Task Force establishment
  • Domestic Policy Council Director designated as Chair

Near term (90d)

  • Agency head designations to Task Force
  • HHS provision of funding and administrative support
  • Outreach to stakeholders begins

Long term

  • Report to President due October 31, 2016
  • Potential guidance and regulatory changes based on findings
  • Advancement of parity implementation across agencies

Risks & tensions

  • Task Force operates 'subject to availability of appropriations' — funding uncertainty
  • Report deadline is before 2016 presidential election, creating potential for limited follow-through by successor administration
  • Memorandum explicitly disclaims creating enforceable rights, limiting direct legal leverage
  • Substance use disorder parity noted as particular gap, suggesting weaker existing implementation
Presidential Memorandum: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force · Executive Orders