The Biden administration has finalized new rules requiring health insurers to provide mental health and substance use disorder coverage on par with other medical services, addressing ongoing disparities in access to care. These regulations strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, mandating insurers to evaluate their practices and report data on mental health claims. President Biden emphasized that mental health care is essential, stating that treatment for conditions like depression should not face more barriers than physical ailments. Despite this progress, officials acknowledged that many insurance companies have previously circumvented the law, complicating access for patients. The health insurance industry is expected to challenge these new regulations, arguing they impose unworkable mandates on employers. This initiative comes as the U.S. grapples with a significant mental health crisis, with a large portion of affected individuals remaining untreated.