The gaming industry is urging that Congress retain problem gambling and related disorders as a public health concern as it considers overhauling or replacing Obamacare.
Representatives of the industry sent Congress and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price a letter last week that urged that any version of the Affordable Care Act continue to pay for treatment for gambling addiction. Lawmakers just released their version of a bill that would overhaul ACA.
The letter was signed by leaders of the American Gaming Association, National Indian Gaming Association, National Council on Problem Gambling and Association of Gaming Equipment Manufactures.
One of the 10 categories of “essential health benefits” recognized by the ACA was mental health and substance use disorders. Several years ago, the American Psychiatric Association recognized gambling disorders as an “addiction” rather than an impulse-control disorder. That put the disorder in the same category as substance addiction.
The letter urged that any version of national health insurance cover Problem Gambling, which affects about 2 percent of the population.
The letter adds “We would be concerned with any paring back of essential health benefits that eliminates ‘gambling disorders.’ Inclusion of behavioral health is critical to ensuring integrated and comprehensive healthcare in the United States, and this approach has increased access to treatment for gambling disorders,” and “While research shows that the majority of patrons set a budget of under $200 when they visit a casino, those who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve access to treatment.”
