The $700 billion finance rescue bill signed by President Bush will provide, for the first time, equal insurance coverage for mental as well as physical illnesses.

The provision is expected to benefit around 113 million Americans in the form of better insurance coverage for mental health treatments. It has taken twelve years of untiring efforts by support groups of people afflicted with mental illnesses and addiction disorders to get the provision approved. The new law not only appears to be a milestone in the search for civil rights but also promises to end insurance discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness.

Until now most employers and group health plans have provided reduced coverage for mental health care than for the treatment of physical illnesses like heart disease, cancer or broken bones. For years together health insurance companies too have set higher deductibles and co-payments as well as tighter limits for treatment of addictions and mental illnesses. However according to the new law, employers’ or group health plans will have to bring about parity in physical and mental health coverage by adjusting their benefits.

Medical experts estimate that by doing away with restrictions of mental health coverage, the new law will allow patients to have easier access to treatments for depression, autism, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance abuse.