Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contraceptive Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reports Contraceptive Access for All Act; Krueger says bill codifies contraceptive coverage across insurers and plans
Summary
House Bill 1140, which would require insurance policies, Medicaid managed care plans and CHIP plans to cover contraceptive drugs, devices and services, was reported out of the House Insurance Committee 14-12 after sponsor Rep. Krueger described the bill as protecting access and noting prior bipartisan support and a Senate defeat last session.
The House Insurance Committee on Wednesday reported House Bill 1140, the Contraceptive Access for All Act, by a 14-12 vote. The bill would require health insurance policies, Medicaid managed care plans and CHIP managed care plans to cover contraceptive drugs, devices, products and services, generally without cost sharing.
“Last year, this bill was reported unanimously out of this insurance committee, and it got a strong bipartisan vote of a 33 to 69 on the house floor,” Representative Krueger, the bill’s prime sponsor and Democratic caucus administrator, told the committee. “Unfortunately, the bill died in the senate, so we’re starting over again.”
Krueger said stakeholders negotiated the bill language and that the current text is “virtually the same language as what you voted for last session” and that there is “currently no known opposition.” She described the bill’s medical benefits beyond pregnancy prevention, saying contraceptives are also used to treat other medical conditions and listing reduced bleeding, pain, and lower risk of several gynecological disorders and cancers.
Committee staff described the bill summary to the members as allowing insurers to impose utilization management that is consistent with federal and state law and guidance, and the bill includes provisions for confidential communications, a standing order for over-the-counter emergency contraception, availability of over-the-counter oral contraception, and a religious exemption for objecting entities.
A committee member who spoke in support said, “I just wanna thank the maker of the bill for this, important legislation and underscore the importance of access to contraception for non pregnancy related health care.” That member added personal experience about the medical need for contraception unrelated to pregnancy.
The chair reported the committee vote as 14 to 12. The transcript records party-line opposition in the roll call, with Republican members identified as voting no and Democratic members recorded as voting yes. The transcript does not show any amendments adopted during the hearing or implementation timelines.
If enacted, the bill would apply to private health plans as well as to Medicaid and CHIP managed care contracts; the committee transcript does not provide cost estimates, fiscal notes, or an effective date for the coverage requirements.
