AR
Arkansas House Bill HB1052

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1052

Introduced
11/25/24  

Caption

To Mandate Coverage For Certain Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Immunization Technologies For Certain Individuals.

Impact

The bill has significant implications for state law as it adds a new subchapter to Title 23, Chapter 79 of the Arkansas Code, requiring healthcare insurers to expand their coverage policies. Importantly, the mandated coverage for monoclonal antibodies will bypass typical financial barriers, as it stipulates that such immunization will not be subjected to deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance limits. This policy shift intends to enhance access to critical immunization for infants, aligning state healthcare provisions with broader national health objectives focused on reducing the morbidity associated with RSV.

Summary

House Bill 1052 is a legislative proposal aimed at mandating coverage for certain immunization technologies related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants. If passed, the bill will require all health benefit plans offered in Arkansas to provide coverage for monoclonal antibodies specifically targeting RSV, effective from January 1, 2026. This initiative is framed as a public health measure that aims to bolster immunity among vulnerable populations, particularly infants under eight months old, who are at a higher risk for severe RSV infections.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding HB1052 may arise from debates about the financial implications of mandated healthcare coverage. Opponents of similar bills often express concerns regarding potential increases in insurance premiums or accessibility issues for smaller health benefit plans. Furthermore, discussions in legislative circles are likely to address the balance of regulatory authority between state mandates and decisions made by individual insurers, particularly as healthcare markets in Arkansas undergo significant changes driven by both state and federal legislation.

Latest HB1052 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR HB1304

To Mandate Coverage For Prenatal Vitamins.

AR SB137

To Mandate Coverage For Necessary Maxillofacial Services.

AR SB181

To Mandate Coverage For Use Of Intravenous Immunoglobulin To Treat Certain Pediatric Disorders Caused By Infections; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1121

Concerning Coverage For Biomarker Testing For Early Detection And Management For Cancer Diagnoses.

AR HB1261

To Enact The Arkansas Triage, Treat, And Transport To An Alternative Destination Act; And To Mandate Insurance Coverage For An Ambulance Service To Triage, Treat, And Transport A Patient To An Alternative Destination.

AR SB490

Concerning Coverage For Genetic Testing For Inherited Cancer Mutations; And To Create The Genetic Testing Act.

AR HB1312

To Establish The Transportation Benefit Manager Act; To Regulate Contracts Of Certain Ambulance Providers; And To Regulate Claims And Prior Authorization Procedures For Certain Ambulance Services.

AR HB1035

To Require Screening For Depression Of Birth Mothers At The Time Of Birth; And To Mandate That Insurance Policies Cover Screening For Depression Of Birth Mothers At The Time Of Birth.

AR HB1257

To Expand Health Benefit Coverage For Certain Police Officer Retirees Of Municipalities And Counties.

AR SB3

To Prohibit The Government From Mandating A Vaccination Or Immunization For Coronavirus 2019 (covid-19) Or Any Subvariants Of Coronavirus 2019 (covid-19), Or Both; And To Declare An Emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.