Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
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.
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.