| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to insurance coverage for the disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1854 would require entities that provide a death benefit payable for the costs of cremation or burial of a child, or a health benefit plan that provides benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness to provide coverage for the cost of disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains with a post-fertilization age of 20 weeks or more.
Texas Action opposes HB 1854 because it violates the limited government and free market principles. We deeply sympathize with the aim of this bill, however we continue to oppose any new insurance coverage mandates. Such mandates are almost always based on noble intentions, but the accumulation of many well-intentioned mandates drive up the costs of health insurance for everyone. It would be better for the state to reduce mandates on health care and health insurance in order to help reduce costs.