2017 -- H 5435

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LC001212

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Almeida, Knight, Ajello, and Walsh

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2017

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 27-18-28 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-18 entitled "Accident

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and Sickness Insurance Policies" is hereby repealed.

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     27-18-28. Health insurance contracts -- Abortion.

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     (a) No health insurance contract, plan, or policy, delivered or issued for delivery in the

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state, shall provide coverage for induced abortions, except where the life of the mother would be

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endangered if the fetus were carried to term or where the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest,

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and except by an optional rider for which there must be paid an additional premium. This section

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shall be applicable to all contracts, plans, or policies of:

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      (1) All health insurers subject to this title;

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      (2) All group and blanket health insurers subject to this title;

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      (3) All nonprofit hospital, medical, surgical, dental, and health service corporations; and

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      (4) All health maintenance organizations;

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      (5) Any provision of medical, hospital, surgical, and funeral benefits, and of coverage

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against accidental death or injury, when the benefits or coverage are incidental to or part of other

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insurance authorized by the statutes of this state.

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      (b) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to pertain to insurance coverage

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for complications as the result of an abortion.

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     SECTION 2. Section 36-12-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-12 entitled "Insurance

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Benefits" is hereby repealed.

 

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     36-12-2.1. Health insurance benefits -- Coverage for abortions excluded.

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     (a) The state of Rhode Island or any city or town shall not include in any health insurance

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contracts, plans, or policies covering employees, any provision which shall provide coverage for

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induced abortions (except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were

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carried to term, or where the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest). This section shall be

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applicable to all contracts, plans or policies of:

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      (1) All health insurers subject to title 27;

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      (2) All group and blanket health insurers subject to title 27;

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      (3) All nonprofit hospital, medical, surgical, dental, and health service corporations;

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      (4) All health maintenance organizations; and

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      (5) Any provision of medical, hospital, surgical, and funeral benefits and of coverage

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against accidental death or injury when the benefits or coverage are incidental to or part of other

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insurance authorized by the statutes of this state.

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      (b) Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to benefits

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provided under existing collective bargaining agreements entered into prior to June 30, 1982.

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      (c) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to pertain to insurance coverage for

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complications as the result of an abortion.

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     SECTION 3. 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

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     This act would repeal the provisions of the general laws that prohibit health insurance

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coverage for induced abortions for all contracts including those policies covering state and

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municipal employees.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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