Posted Wednesday, October 7, 2009 --- 11:03 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democratic lawmakers say they'll introduce a bill to improve insurance coverage for the mentally ill and drug addicts.

The measure wouldn't mandate coverage for mental health and substance abuse problems. It would, however, require all group health plans that offer such coverage to provide it at what's known as parity. Essentially, mental illness and substance abuse coverage couldn't be more restrictive or expensive than the plan's medical and surgical coverage.

Federal law mandates mental health and substance abuse parity for health plans offered by employers with 51 workers or more.

State Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, one of the bill's supporters, says the measure will help people who work for smaller employers afford insurance.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.