COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKEF) — State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar) are pushing new legislation aimed at expanding access to preventative mental health care for Ohioans of all ages.
The lawmakers provided sponsor testimony before the House Insurance Committee on House Bill 724, which would require health insurance plans in Ohio to cover annual behavioral health wellness checks for both children and adults.
Under the proposal, covered visits would include:
Behavioral health screeningsReview of risk and protective factorsEducation on healthy lifestyle changesReferrals to services when appropriateConnection to additional support
Screenings could be conducted by either a licensed behavioral health professional or medical provider already serving individuals in their communities. These include:
PhysiciansNurse practitionersPhysician assistantsPsychologistsCounselorsSocial workersMarriage and family therapistsChemical dependency counselors
Rep. White said the bill reflects a shift toward treating mental health with the same urgency as physical health, emphasizing prevention and early intervention:
House Bill 724 is another step toward treating mental health with the same seriousness, consistency, and preventative focus as physical health. Our life experiences and data on education, employment, poverty, addiction and incarceration rates all lead us to an undisputed fact. Prevention, early identification and treatment yield tremendous human and cost benefits for our families and our communities.
Rep. Salvo added that the goal is to normalize behavioral health care and help individuals access support before a crisis develops:
The goal of this legislation is simple: normalize behavioral health care in the same way we normalize physical health care. This bill recognizes that individuals do not need to be in crisis to benefit from behavioral health support. Early screenings and conversations can identify concerns before they escalate into emergencies.
The legislation stems from recommendations made by the Mental Health Insurance Working Group, established in 2023 through an executive order and led by the Ohio Department of Insurance.
House Bill 724 now awaits further consideration from the House Insurance Committee.