Colorado Bill Would Require Insurers To Cover Maternity Care, Contraception

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology;  Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 10 Dec 2009 - 6:00 PST

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A bill proposed in the Colorado House would require companies issuing health insurance in the individual market to include coverage of maternity care and contraception, the Colorado Independent reports. Currently, this coverage is not required, according to the Independent.

The Independent reports that insurance companies in Colorado do not offer maternity and birth control coverage in individual plans because they are not required to do so. State Rep. Jerry Frangas (D), a co-sponsor of the bill, said that some insurers will cover the costs of male erectile dysfunction medications but not birth control, making it "an issue of discrimination." He added, "If we're going to cover reproductive issues or issues related to one gender, we should cover reproductive issues related to both genders."

Frangas said he introduced the bill in response to complaints from constituents who were frustrated with the individual market. Frangas's bill has passed through the Committee process. He expects the House to hear the bill in January (Redding, Colorado Independent, 12/7).

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