Bill

HB 2813

84(R) - 2015
House Insurance
House Insurance
Healthcare
Insurance

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Ken King

Co-Author(s)

Alma A. Allen
Roberto Alonzo
Carol Alvarado
Rafael Anchia
Rodney Anderson
Trent Ashby
Dwayne Bohac
Cindy Burkett
Terry Canales
Giovanni Capriglione
Travis Clardy
Nicole Collier
Byron Cook
Myra Crownover
Drew Darby
Sarah Davis
Joe Deshotel
Harold Dutton Jr.
Gary Elkins
Wayne Faircloth
Marsha Farney
Jessica Farrar
Dan Flynn
James Frank
Rick Galindo
Charlie Geren
Helen Giddings
Craig Goldman
Larry Gonzales
Roland Gutierrez
Patricia Harless
Ana Hernandez
Donna Howard
Dan Huberty
Celia Israel
Eric Johnson
Phil King
Susan King
Tracy King
Linda Koop
John Kuempel
Lyle Larson
Jeff Leach
J.M. Lozano
Marisa Marquez
Will Metcalf
Morgan Meyer
Rick Miller
Geanie Morrison
Sergio Munoz Jr.
Jim Murphy
Andrew Murr
John Otto
Chris Paddie
Tan Parker
Dennis Paul
Gilbert Pena
Dade Phelan
Four Price
John Raney
Richard Raymond
Eddie Rodriguez
Justin Rodriguez
Toni Rose
Scott Sanford
Ron Simmons
Wayne Smith
John Smithee
Drew Springer
Phil Stephenson
Ed Thompson
Gary VanDeaver
Jason Villalba
Paul Workman
John Wray
Gene Wu

Bill Caption

Relating to health benefit coverage for ovarian cancer screening.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

5/11/15 Update:

This bill is substantively the same as when we reported on it in its original chamber. We continue to oppose HB 2813.

First chamber analysis below:

The current law in Chapter 1370 of the Insurance Code requires a health benefit plan to provide, at a minimum, coverage to cover expenses for annual medically recognized diagnostic examinations for the early detection of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. 

The proposed legislation would expand the minimum coverage requirements to include diagnostic examinations for the detection of ovarian cancer.

The Senate Committee Substitute would exclude certain qualified health plans from Chapter 1370.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The purpose of the bill is to increase minimum health benefit plan coverage requirements for insurance companies. While early screening for ovarian cancer may be a wise option, its coverage should not be mandated by the state. This legislation represents yet another example of the government interfering with private businesses. The high cost of health care and health insurance is partly the result of government interference in the form of mandates. Every time the government tinkers with the system to take choices away from providers and patients, costs tend to rise.

Creating new state mandates on private enterprise abridges our limited government and free market principles. Therefore, we oppose HB 2813.

It is worth noting that Texas has one of the highest number of insurance mandates of all the states. 

Organizations Opposed

Texas Association of Business