Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires state insurers provide coverage for abortion and contraception services.

Highlights:

• Requires a health plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2019 provide coverage for the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• All contraceptive drugs, devices, and other over the counter products approved by the FDA;

• Voluntary sterilization procedures; and

• The consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services necessary to prescribe, dispense, insert, or remove the drugs or devices described in this section.

• Specifies that a healthcare plan may not require copayments, deductibles, or other forms of cost sharing, unless the health plan is offered as a qualifying health plan (Sec. 2)

• Prohibits health plans from being construed to allow for the denial of care on the basis of any of the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• Race or color;

• national origin, citizenship, or immigration status;

• Sex or sexual orientation;

• Gender expression or identity;

• Marital status, age, or disability.

• Requires that a health plan that provides coverage for maternity care to also provide substantially equivalent coverage to permit the abortion of a pregnancy, and may not limit in any way a person’s access to services related to the abortion (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires state insurers provide coverage for abortion and contraception services.

Highlights:

• Requires a health plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2019 provide coverage for the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• All contraceptive drugs, devices, and other over the counter products approved by the FDA;

• Voluntary sterilization procedures; and

• The consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services necessary to prescribe, dispense, insert, or remove the drugs or devices described in this section.

• Specifies that a healthcare plan may not require copayments, deductibles, or other forms of cost sharing, unless the health plan is offered as a qualifying health plan (Sec. 2)

• Prohibits health plans from being construed to allow for the denial of care on the basis of any of the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• Race or color;

• national origin, citizenship, or immigration status;

• Sex or sexual orientation;

• Gender expression or identity;

• Marital status, age, or disability.

• Requires that a health plan that provides coverage for maternity care to also provide substantially equivalent coverage to permit the abortion of a pregnancy, and may not limit in any way a person’s access to services related to the abortion (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text