Bill Text: VA HB2147 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Health benefits exchanges; abortion coverage not permitted.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-02-17 - Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (10-Y 5-N) [HB2147 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2011-HB2147-Engrossed.html

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11103008D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2147 House Amendments in [ ] – February 7, 2011 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-3401.1, relating to the offering of coverage for certain abortions through a health benefits exchange. ---------- Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Cline ---------- Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 38.2-3401.1 as follows:

§ 38.2-3401.1. Health benefit exchanges prohibited from offering coverage for certain abortions through health care exchange.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Exchange" means any American Health Benefit Exchange or Small Business Health Options Program established pursuant to § 1311(b) of the federal health care reform legislation, whether operated by an agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or by the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

"Federal health care reform legislation" means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152).

"Qualified health plan" has the same meaning as is ascribed to such term in § 1301 of the federal health care reform legislation.

B. [ No Except as provided for in § 38.2-3418, no ] qualified health insurance plan that is sold or offered for sale through an exchange established or operating in the Commonwealth shall provide coverage for abortions, regardless of whether such coverage is provided through the plan or is offered as a separate optional rider thereto.

2. That nothing in this act shall be construed or implied to recognize the constitutional validity of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152).

3. That the provisions of this act constitute the election of the Commonwealth to prohibit abortion coverage in qualified health plans offered through an exchange in the Commonwealth as amended by § 1303(a)(1) of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152).