Texas House Bill HB717

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 12/21/16

Caption

Relating to HIV and AIDS tests and to health benefit plan coverage of HIV and AIDS tests.

Impact

If enacted, HB 717 will significantly alter how health benefit plans operate concerning HIV testing. It mandates the inclusion of HIV tests in standard health benefit plans and establishes specific provisions to guide healthcare providers in the routine testing of patients. By requiring providers to conduct an HIV test unless patients opt-out, it aims to normalize HIV testing in healthcare settings and encourage more individuals to know their HIV status, ultimately aiming for earlier detection and treatment of HIV/AIDs.

Summary

House Bill 717 addresses the coverage requirements for HIV and AIDS testing within health benefit plans in Texas. The bill mandates that health benefit plan issuers cannot exclude or deny coverage for tests or procedures aimed at determining HIV infection or related conditions. This provision applies irrespective of whether the testing is associated with the primary diagnosis for which the patient is seeking medical care. The introduction of this bill aligns legal frameworks with modern health recommendations, seeking to reduce stigma and increase accessibility to vital health screening for those at risk of HIV infection.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding the implications of mandatory testing and related privacy issues, particularly among individuals who might feel uncomfortable with the opt-out provision. Critics might argue that while the intention is to promote public health, it could also lead to undue pressure on patients to consent to tests they may not want or understand fully. Furthermore, discussions around the costs associated with expanded coverage and the impact on insurance premiums may present points of contention during legislative deliberations.