Delaware Governor John Carney signed House Bill 110 into law in early September, requiring all health benefit plans to cover abortion. This marks a significant milestone as Delaware becomes the fifth state to mandate private insurers to cover pregnancy termination and the 18th state to require Medicaid to do the same. The bill aims to expand women’s access to reproductive healthcare, particularly for those who are underserved or uninsured.
Stacey Hassel of Planned Parenthood of Delaware emphasized the importance of this legislation, as many women are currently paying for reproductive healthcare out of pocket. The new law also mandates coverage for fertility services, breast exams, cancer care, ovarian cancer screening, and doula services. Delaware Department of Insurance Senior Advisor Chris Haas highlighted the impact of insurers not voluntarily covering women’s healthcare, leading to limited access and affordability.
House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown, the bill’s sponsor, expressed pride in the state’s efforts to protect women and providers by ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. The law will come into effect for Medicaid and state employee health plans on January 1, 2025, and for group and individual insurers after December 31, 2025. Insurers have the option to opt-in earlier if they choose to do so. This legislation represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all women in Delaware have access to essential reproductive healthcare services.
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