Bill Description: Senate Bill 1098 requires health benefit plans to pay for a 12-month supply of contraceptives.

Rating: -2

Analyst Note: Senate Bill 1098 is similar to Senate Bill 1275 from 2020, except that this bill doubles the length of time — from 6 months to 12 months — for which health benefit plans would be forced to provide a supply of contraceptives in a single visit. Senate Bill 1275 failed on a vote of 13-20 in the Senate. Senate Bill 1098 is a direct replacement for Senate Bill 1050.

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 1098 creates Section 41-1853, Idaho Code, which mandates that any health benefit plan or student health benefit plan issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2022, that includes coverage for contraceptive drugs and supplies cover the cost of buying a 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs and supplies.

This bill attempts to substitute the supposed wisdom of central planners for the spontaneous order of the free market. We should allow the market to determine what constitutes a reasonable supply of contraceptive drugs and supplies, not needlessly insert government into the situation.

(-1)

Additionally, Senate Bill 1098 mandates that the health benefit plan or student health benefit plan allow enrollees to receive the contraceptive drugs and supplies on-site at the provider’s office if available.

(-1)