[Jun 02, 2005]

      A South Carolina bill requiring insurers to cover treatments for mental illness on Wednesday became law after Gov. Mark Sanford (R) declined to sign or veto it, the Charleston Post and Courier reports. The law, which takes effect July 1, 2006, requires health plans to offer equal coverage for physical conditions and nine mental conditions, including depression and anxiety. Coverage for treatment of illicit drug and alcohol use is not included in the law. Sanford on Wednesday said in a letter to Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell (R) that he did not sign the bill because he opposed the idea of mandating health coverage. He said mandates increase the cost of coverage, thereby expanding the uninsured population. However, Sanford said he did not veto the bill because it was narrowly crafted, it included oversight from the Department of Insurance and he believed it could prevent mental health problems that lead to emergency department visits (Maze, Charleston Post and Courier, 5/26).

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