State lawmakers and mental health advocates in Georgia are growing increasingly frustrated with the sluggish enforcement of a landmark 2022 law designed to ensure parity between mental and physical health coverage. Though celebrated as a major step toward expanding access to behavioral health care, the law’s implementation has been mired in delays and confusion, leaving many without the treatment they were promised.
A Landmark Law Stuck in Limbo
In 2022, Georgia passed a bipartisan bill aimed at holding health insurers accountable for treating mental health and substance use disorders on the same level as physical conditions. The measure, signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, was hailed as a breakthrough, bringing Georgia in line with federal mental health parity requirements.
Yet more than two years later, the law remains largely toothless. Few complaints about violations have been reported, but experts argue this is not because insurers are complying—it’s because the process for reporting violations is convoluted and under-publicized. Advocates warn that without active enforcement, the law remains little more than words on paper.
The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Delays
Eve Byrd, director of the mental health program at the Carter Center, minced no words when speaking about the situation. “It’s fine to pass legislation, but if the legislation just stays on the books and is not implemented, we don’t help anybody.”
Families struggling with mental health crises continue to face insurance hurdles, with many still paying higher out-of-pocket costs for psychiatric services than for other medical treatments. Under the law, copays, deductibles, and visit limits should be the same for both types of care, but enforcement gaps mean that many insurers still operate under their old rules.
Byrd stressed the need for more state oversight, saying, “People are dying. People are not getting the care they need.”
A System That Few Understand
One of the biggest obstacles to the law’s success is public awareness. Many Georgians simply do not know what their rights are under the new legislation. To address this, the Carter Center has launched educational campaigns in cities like Albany, Savannah, and Atlanta, aiming to inform residents about what insurers are legally required to cover.
Advocates say that even those who do know their rights often struggle with a confusing and ineffective complaint system. The state’s online portal for filing parity violations is difficult to navigate, leading to few official complaints.
“The data is not clear as to what insurers are doing well and what insurers are not doing well,” Byrd said. “So, you can’t really point fingers or implement penalties.”
Lawmakers Push for Stronger Oversight
State Rep. Katie Dempsey, a Republican from Rome, has introduced new legislation aimed at closing the gaps left by the original law. Her bill seeks to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and improve transparency around how insurers handle behavioral health claims.
The push for stricter oversight comes as the demand for mental health services continues to climb. Georgia, like much of the country, has seen a rise in mental health and substance abuse issues, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Long wait times for therapy and psychiatric care, combined with insurance-related obstacles, have left many residents struggling to find the help they need.
“We have to make sure that what we passed isn’t just symbolic,” said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “People are counting on this law to work.”
What Comes Next?
For now, Georgia’s mental health law remains in a frustrating state of limbo. While it sets strong legal standards, the lack of enforcement leaves too many patients stuck fighting insurance companies on their own. Without stronger state intervention, advocates warn, the promise of parity will remain just that—a promise, rather than a reality.
The hope among supporters is that new legislative efforts will give the law the teeth it needs. Until then, thousands of Georgians in need of mental health care remain at the mercy of a system that still favors profits over patients.
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