On April 4, ASAM and stakeholders sent a letter to the House Energy & Commerce Committee in support the "Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022," under consideration at the Committee's April 5 hearing. The organizations asked the Committee to support the legislation that phases out "parity opt-outs" among self-funded state and local health plans. The Federal Parity Act was signed into law to protect individuals who need MH and SUD treatment. Though the law requires health plans to cover MH/SUD treatment in a manner that is not less restrictive or more costly than physical health treatment, 180 out of 181 state and local government plans have opted out of parity protections. This affects families who are left with no recourse to challenge discriminatory coverage denials.