An Act To Amend Title 18 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Health Coverage For Speech Therapy.
By formalizing coverage requirements for speech therapy, HB273 will significantly impact state laws governing health insurance. It ensures that children diagnosed with developmental speech-language disorders receive necessary treatments, which may positively influence their educational and social development. The act provides substantial clarity for insurance providers on what coverage must be included, thereby aiming to improve financial access to speech therapy services for affected families across Delaware.
House Bill 273 aims to amend Title 18 of the Delaware Code to ensure that health insurance policies provide coverage for therapy and services regarding various speech-language disorders in children. Specifically, it mandates that insurance plans issued or renewed after December 31, 2024, must cover treatments for identified disorders such as childhood onset fluency disorder, expressive language disorder, and social pragmatic communication disorder. This legislation seeks to address the coverage gap for families needing speech therapy for their children, promoting equitable access to necessary medical services.
The sentiment surrounding HB273 appears largely positive, with strong support from health professionals, educators, and parents advocating for improved access to speech therapy services. Proponents view the bill as a necessary step towards enhancing the quality of life for children who face challenges in communication due to developmentally delayed disorders. There appears to be little opposition to the bill based on the discussions and voting records, suggesting a consensus on the importance of the bill’s provisions.
While the bill generally has broad support, one potential contention point could be the specific exclusions outlined in its provisions. The bill does not require coverage from limited benefit policies or those that focus only on hospital confinement and disability income, which may create discrepancies in coverage depending on individual insurance plans. However, these exclusions are likely intended to clarify the scope of the coverage rather than to undermine the bill's goals.