Rhode Island House Bill H7631

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/22
• Refer: 3/2/22

Caption

Accident And Sickness Insurance Policies

Impact

The passage of HB 7631 significantly alters the framework of health insurance in Rhode Island. By removing cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles or co-pays on contraceptive coverage, the bill aims to enhance access to reproductive health services. Furthermore, it guarantees that coverage must be available not only to the insured individual but also to their spouse and any dependent children. This broadens the scope of health services accessible to families and seeks to promote contraceptive use, which can have implications for public health and family planning within the state.

Summary

House Bill 7631 aims to amend existing regulations surrounding accident and sickness insurance policies in the state of Rhode Island, specifically concerning coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices. Effective January 1, 2023, this legislation mandates that all individual or group health insurance contracts providing prescription coverage include comprehensive benefits for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods. This requirement encompasses various essential services such as patient education, counseling on contraception, and follow-up services, including management of side effects and device insertion or removal.

Contention

While supporters herald the bill as a progressive step toward ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services, various points of contention arise, particularly from religious organizations. The legislation allows religious employers to exclude contraceptive coverage that conflicts with their religious beliefs, raising concerns about the potential for selective healthcare services based on employer faith-based exemptions. The balance between protecting individual healthcare rights while accommodating religious beliefs remains a contentious discussion embedded within the debates surrounding this bill.