14-02-2025
Arkansas senator says mental health insurance bill language was misinterpreted
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A bill that was supposed to help people understand and clear up language for mental health and substance abuse insurance policies has done the opposite.
HB 1420 was written by State Rep. Trey Steimel (R-Pocahontas) and State Sen. Justin Boyd (R-Fort Smith).
Many interpreted the bill to say it could eliminate mandates for mental health and substance abuse treatments under employer-provided insurance in Arkansas, but Boyd says that's not the case.
'There was never an intent to get rid of drug or alcohol rehab treatment in the state of Arkansas and I would never support that,' Boyd said. 'It really was not an attempt to do anything of significance, especially towards drug or alcohol rehab treatment. Federal law supersedes state law. Federal law has richer benefits for people than what was ever prescribed in state law.'
Boyd says the bill is being amended and Section 3, which caused the bill to be misinterpreted, is being changed entirely.
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