Bill Description: House Bill 818 would require health insurers to pay for fertility preservation services for cancer patients.
Rating: -3
Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?
House Bill 818 would create Section 41-1854, Idaho Code, to require that “a group or individual health benefit plan providing benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness shall provide coverage for fertility preservation services to a covered person who will receive a medically necessary treatment for cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.”
This mandate would apply to “an insurance company; a group hospital service corporation operating pursuant to chapter 34, title 41, Idaho Code; a managed care organization operating pursuant to chapter 39, title 41, Idaho Code; a fraternal benefit society operating pursuant to chapter 32, title 41, Idaho Code; or an exchange operating pursuant to chapter 61, title 41, Idaho Code.”
Adding coverage mandates expands government intrusion into the market.
(-1)
Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?
Adding coverage mandates to health insurance increases policy costs across the board and forces some buyers to pay for coverage they may not want or need, in order to subsidize the minority of buyers who will actually use it. Conversely, removing coverage mandates would expand market options and allow buyers to pay only for the coverage they choose to purchase.
(-1)
Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?
The fiscal note for this bill estimates the state would have to spend up to $800,000 to comply with these mandates for individuals insured through the state health insurance plan and Individual Health Insurance Market defrayal on Your Health Idaho.
(-1)
