Arlen Specter: “In 1989, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State legislature passed a bill, Pennsylvania Act 106, which requires…”

“In 1989, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State legislature passed a bill, Pennsylvania Act 106, which requires all commercial group health insurance plans and health maintenance organization's to provide a full continuum of addiction treatment including detoxification, residential rehabilitation, and outpatient/ partial hospitalization. The only lawful prerequisite to this treatment and to coverage is certification to need and referral from a licensed physician or psychologist. Such certifications and referrals in all instances control the nature and duration of treatment. I support existing Pennsylvania law and, before agreeing to support S. 558, assured myself that S. 558 will not serve to supplant greater Pennsylvania protections for those seeking treatment for substance abuse.”