A House bill would require insurance cover mental illnesses the same as physical ones.

The measure passed 116-1 last night, but only after representatives added a loophole for businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 34 states have similar "mental health parity" laws, though definitions vary.

Rep. Jennifer Weiss, a Cary Democrat, said the size of the company shouldn't matter. She cited a woman she knew who was discharged from a hospital when her insurance ran out.

"She committed suicide," Weiss said. "We have the opportunity today to prevent that kind of thing. I don't think we should be picking and choosing which people get it and which people don't." (N&O)