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HF 32

Health insurers prohibited from requiring co-payments for children's mental health services.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brion Curran and 6 co-sponsors

Minnesota bill eliminates co-payment requirements for children's mental health services to increase access to treatment and reduce financial barriers for families.

Motion did not prevail 90 votes required for suspension of rules
#childrenandminors #insurance-health #mentalhealthandrelatedconditions
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Bill Summary · HF 32

Legislative bill overview

HF 32 prohibits health insurers operating in Minnesota from requiring co-payments when children access mental health services. The bill aims to remove financial barriers that may prevent families from seeking necessary mental health treatment for minors, potentially covering both inpatient and outpatient mental health care depending on final language.

Why is this important

Mental health conditions in children are increasingly prevalent, yet many families delay or forgo treatment due to out-of-pocket costs. Removing co-payment requirements could increase access to early intervention and treatment, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving child outcomes. This aligns with broader efforts to destigmatize mental health care and treat it as essential preventive medicine.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance premium increases: Insurers may pass costs to consumers through higher premiums or reduced coverage elsewhere, potentially affecting those without children or with different healthcare priorities
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's specifics on which mental health services are covered (therapy, medication management, psychiatric evaluation, etc.) and age limits for "children" could significantly impact implementation and costs
  • Employer burden: Small businesses offering health insurance may face increased expenses, potentially affecting willingness to provide coverage or competitiveness

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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