The Biden administration has finalized new regulations to ensure mental health and substance use disorder benefits are on par with medical and surgical benefits, as part of the revitalization of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The new rules, announced on September 9, 2024, aim to lower out-of-pocket costs and improve access to mental health care by holding insurance companies to higher standards. These changes include prohibiting restrictive prior authorization practices and expanding provider networks. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and other top officials highlighted the personal and systemic impacts of inadequate mental health coverage. Critics, however, warn that these regulations could lead to higher insurance premiums. The administration hopes these changes will significantly enhance mental health care access and affordability across the nation.