Mississippi House Bill HB316

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Health insurance; require certain policies to provide coverage for physician-prescribed proton beam therapy.

Impact

The passage of HB316 would significantly affect health insurance frameworks across the state, particularly for residents dependent on state-sponsored health plans. By mandating the inclusion of proton therapy, the bill aims to ensure that state employees and their families have access to advanced cancer treatments that could potentially improve outcomes. It is an important legislative effort to modernize health care provisions and align them with contemporary medical practices and standards.

Summary

House Bill 316 is a legislative proposal aimed at expanding health insurance coverage to include proton beam therapy for the treatment of cancer. Specifically, it mandates that all individual and group health insurance policies, as well as the State Employees Health Insurance Plan, provide coverage for this treatment when prescribed by a physician. The bill aligns with current recommendations from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) regarding effective cancer treatment options. This bill is scheduled to take effect for all policies delivered or renewed after July 1, 2023.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported for its focus on enhancing cancer treatment access, there may be concerns regarding the financial implications of adding this coverage for insurance providers and the state budget. Critics may argue that expanding such mandates could lead to increased insurance premiums or fiscal strain on state resources, potentially affecting other areas of the public health system. However, proponents contend that ensuring comprehensive cancer treatments is a necessary investment in public health that ultimately benefits society.