2016 -- S 2098

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LC003863

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - COMPLIANCE OF HEALTH BENEFIT CONTRACTS AND

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH FEDERAL LAW

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, McCaffrey, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     Section 1. Chapter 27-18.1 of the General Laws entitled "Compliance of Health Benefit

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Contracts and Medical Assistance Program with Federal Law" is hereby amended by adding

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thereto the following section:

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     27-18.1-7. Alternative plans to be offered. -- (a) For every qualified program and health

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insurance plan or policy offered through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange, the exchange

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shall ensure that individuals and small business employers purchasing coverage through the

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health benefit exchange shall have the choice of purchasing and participating in at least one

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health plan at each actuarial value tier that excludes coverage for induced abortions, except in

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cases where:

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     (1) The life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term; or

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     (2) The pregnancy resulted from rape, sexual assault, or incest.

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     (b) This section shall be applicable for qualified programs and health insurance plans

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and/or policies issued on or after January 1, 2017, and for policy years beginning on or after

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January 1, 2017.

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     (c) For purposes of this section:

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     (1) The term "abortion" shall have the same meaning as set forth in chapter 4.7 of title 23

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("Informed Consent for Abortion"); and

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     (2) The term "exchange" means the Rhode Island health benefits exchange, a division of

 

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the executive department established by executive order 11-09, dated September 11, 2011.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - COMPLIANCE OF HEALTH BENEFIT CONTRACTS AND

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH FEDERAL LAW

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     This act would provide that persons and small businesses purchasing coverage through

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the health benefits exchange would have the option of purchasing at least one plan that excludes

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coverage for induced abortions.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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