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:

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

and Sickness Insurance Policies" is hereby repealed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

      (1) All health insurers subject to this title;

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

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

      (4) All health maintenance organizations;

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

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

insurance authorized by the statutes of this state.

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

for complications as the result of an abortion.

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

Benefits" is hereby repealed.

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

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

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

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

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

applicable to all contracts, plans or policies of:

      (1) All health insurers subject to title 27;

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

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

      (4) All health maintenance organizations; and

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

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

insurance authorized by the statutes of this state.

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

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

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

complications as the result of an abortion.

     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

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

municipal employees.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001212

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