HEALTH-CARE REFORM AND MENTAL-HEALTH BENEFITS IN THE USA - A MEASURE OF SUCCESS

Throughout the US health care reform process, members of the alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health working group of President Clinton's Tas k Force were reminded that the fate of mental health benefits was link ed to the success or failure of the larger reform process itself. Comp romise was required to achieve the limited benefits within the preside nt's Health Security Act, but the benefit package was universal and vi ewed as the best possible under the circumstances. In spite of the def eat of the health care reform effort, the mental health profession enj oyed incremental success in five areas.