DENVER-
Gov. Bill Ritter signed seven measures Wednesday aimed at increasing services for the elderly and improving mental health care, including one that will expand the conditions that health insurers must cover.
The new law adds such conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol disorders and anorexia to the list of covered problems. Biologically based mental illnesses including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder were already covered under the previous law.
The other new laws also coordinate mental health treatment for children, including those in the juvenile justice system.
Ritter signed four other bills later in the day expanding services mainly for the elderly.
They encourage the use of tracking devices to locate handicapped people who become lost, rebate more tax money to seniors and disabled people, increase funding for such senior services as Meals on Wheels, legal assistance and shopping shuttles, and promote long-term services for the elderly in communities.
