Bill Description: Senate Bill 1234 would require health benefit plans to pay for a 6-month supply of contraceptives at one time. 

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NOTE: Senate Bill 1234 is similar to Senate Bill 1260 (2022), Senate Bill 1098 (2021), and Senate Bill 1275 (2020). 

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

Senate Bill 1234 would create Section 41-1853, Idaho Code, which says, "A health benefit plan or student health benefit plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, that includes coverage for prescription contraception must provide reimbursement for prescription contraception intended to last six (6) months obtained at one (1) time by the enrollee. ..." 

As with the previous iterations of this bill, this mandate would substitute the preferences of central planners for the natural order of the market. If there were sufficient market demand for this change, it would take place without new government regulations. 

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Additionally, Senate Bill 1234 would require that the health benefit plan or student health benefit plan allow enrollees "to receive prescription contraception on-site at the prescribing provider's office, if available." Once again, there is nothing preventing this from happening now if all the market players agree it makes sense. It's not necessary for government to make these decisions. 

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