House-Senate pact reached on mental health bill

The House and Senate reached agreement on a policy framework for legislation that would require employers and health insurers to put mental-health coverage on par with medical and surgical benefits. That coverage would include treatments such as hospital stays and doctor visits, and cost-sharing such as co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. If a plan offers medical coverage for treatment outside of its provider network, it must do so in mental health, as well.