As a nation Americans are debating the power of the Federal government to pass laws that mandate our behavior in the area of health care. However, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not the first mandate pertaining to health care.
Three other mandates already exist. This information was posted in my local newspaper (Los Angeles Daily News).
Other health care mandates
The 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active as Labor Act. It requires nearly all hospitals to treat and ‘or stabilize anyone needing emergency care, regardless .of ability to pay or legal U.S. residency. Critics call it an unfunded mandate. It was part of a budget law signed by President Ronald Reagan.
The 1996 Mental Health Parity Act. It prohibits group health plans from setting lower annual or lifetime dollar limits for mental health benefits as compared with medical a surgical benefits.
The 1996 Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act. It requires plans offering maternity coverage to pay for at a least a 48-hour hospital stay following most normal deliveries, and 96 hours following a cesarean section. The mental health parity and maternal health laws were signed by President Bill Clinton.
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