Parity for treating mental health and physical health: a poll

Mental health care is an issue with support from Democrats, Republicans and independent voters, according to a new poll.

Voters agree on another thing: skepticism about insurance companies and their willingness to cover mental health services.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 has broad public support. In September, federal regulators published a new rule intended to make it easier for Americans with private health insurance to access treatments for mental health and substance use disorders, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Survey, “Bipartisan Support for Improving Mental Healthcare Access,” by Sarah Fioroni.

This slideshow presents the findings about U.S. adults’ feelings about access to mental health services. The poll was fielded Sept. 9 to 16 and results published Oct. 24.

Some slide percentages do not add up to 100% because the percentages for “don’t know” are not included.