| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the requirement and study of insurance coverage for serious emotional disturbance of a child.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 240 would require group health benefit plan to provide coverage for serious emotional disturbance of a child, based on medical necessity, for at least 45 days of inpatient treatment and 60 visits for outpatient treatment during a calendar year. HB 240 would exempt Texas Public School Employee benefits from this mandate.
The bill would also require the Department of Insurance to conduct a study to determine and evaluate the extent to which enrollees are making claims under coverage for serious emotional disturbance of a child and the impact, if any, the coverage for serious emotional disturbance of a child and the claims have on the cost of the coverage for group health benefit plans.
Texas Action opposes HB 240 because it violates the limited government and free market principles. The state should not be in the business of mandating what private insurance has to cover and how it must cover a given treatment while at the same time exempting insurance the state pays for. Insurance mandates, no matter how well-intended, increase the cost of health insurance for everyone.