Representative Balser leads efforts to expand access to treatment for mental illness and addictions, and support services for the disabled.  She is responsible for passage of many bills that protect consumers of behavioral health services including landmark mental health parity and children’s mental health legislation.  She is additionally credited with protecting behavioral health in Massachusetts health reform efforts.

Continuing to be a champion for mental health parity, Rep. Balser has filed legislation that will make sure that Massachusetts complies with all the parity requirements in federal law.  She has also advocated for the adoption of mental health parity concepts in disability insurance, as well as health insurance.