Relating to certain health care services, increasing access to health care, and repealing or replacing medically unnecessary and outdated health care restrictions.
Impact
The legislation, if enacted, is expected to significantly amend several existing laws concerning reproductive health, primarily around accessibility and funding for services like abortion, contraception, and sterilization. This includes mandates for health plans to cover these services without cost-sharing requirements and removing prior authorization hurdles. By increasing access to these essential health services, SB2768 seeks to address disparities in healthcare access and promote public health within the state.
Summary
SB2768, titled the Health Freedom for Texans Act, aims to enhance access to various healthcare services, particularly focusing on reproductive health, including safe abortion care and healthcare services for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. The bill underscores the importance of comprehensive reproductive healthcare as a fundamental aspect of both health and socio-economic equality. It argues against the existing restrictions that have been deemed medically unnecessary and outdated, proposing to repeal those provisions in state law that hinder healthcare access.
Contention
While supporters argue that SB2768 is a necessary step towards ensuring equitable access to healthcare, opponents may raise concerns regarding the implications of such legislation on existing state laws and ethical debates surrounding reproductive rights. The bill aims to centralize healthcare availability while potentially igniting conflicts with more conservative viewpoints that prioritize fetal rights and parental consent laws. Thus, the discussions surrounding the bill are likely to reflect the polarized nature of reproductive health politics in Texas.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Health And Safety Code
Chapter 171. Abortion
Section: New Section
Family Code
Chapter 32. Consent To Treatment Of Child By Non-parent Or Child
Section: New Section
Human Resources Code
Chapter 32. Medical Assistance Program
Section: New Section
Insurance Code
Chapter 1218. Coverage For Elective Abortion; Prohibitions And Requirements
Relating to the applicability of certain laws on the provision of money to organizations that support access to health care services and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion.
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of the health and human services laws governing the Health and Human Services Commission, Medicaid, and other social services.
Relating to the terminology used in statute to refer to intellectual disability and certain references to abolished health and human services agencies.
Relating to the terminology used in statute to refer to intellectual disability and certain references to abolished health and human services agencies.
Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.
Relating to an exemption from abortion restrictions for unemancipated minors and the repeal of provisions regarding notice and consent to those abortions.
Requires Medicaid provide health benefits coverage, and places certain requirements on insurers and State Health Benefits Program regarding existing mandate on health benefits coverage, for certain over-the-counter contraceptives.