Health insurance; contraception coverage if subscriber or enrollee requests such coverage. (HB19)
Introduced By
Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Health insurance; contraception coverage. Provides that no individual or group accident and sickness insurance policy, individual or group accident or sickness subscription contract, or health care plan for health care services shall provide coverage for contraception methods, sterilization procedures, abortifacient drugs or devices unless the subscriber or enrollee in the policy, contract, or plan requests such coverage. The bill also provides that any employer who provides for health and medical care or reimbursement of medical expenses for his employees as a self-insurer is not required to include coverage for contraception methods, sterilization procedures, or abortifacient drugs or devices. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 11/21/2013 | Committee |
| 11/21/2013 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14100715D |
| 11/21/2013 | Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor |
| 01/28/2014 | Impact statement from DPB (HB19) |
| 02/12/2014 | Left in Commerce and Labor |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia opposes this bill. HB19, and its companion bills HB18 and HB20, intend to restrict access to birth control if the Supreme Court overturns the federal rule that requires new health insurance plans to cover birth control at no extra out-of-pocket cost. If the federal rule is overturned by the Supreme Court, and these bills pass, Virginia will be poised to restrict birth control coverage and other reproductive health services. The bills would limit private health insurance companies’ ability to cover birth control, thus allowing employers to decide your health care plan. Birth control coverage is a breakthrough for women’s health and women seeking access to basic health services should not face discrimination. Private decision making about birth control should be left to a woman, her doctor, and her faith, not her boss or a politician. Religious liberty means the right to hold and preach your beliefs, but not to impose them on others.