What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires certain health insurance policies to include coverage for the cost of certain infant and baby formulas
In Senate Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Grace Meng
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S8326
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring certain health insurance policies to include coverage for the cost of certain infant and baby formulas
Purpose
To allow parents to affordably provide medically necessary formulas for infants who would become malnourished or suffer from disorders if these particular formulas were made unavailable to them. These disorders, if left untreated, may cause chronic physical disability, mental retardation or death.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would require that coverage by any policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs must provide coverage for the cost of infant and baby formulas which are proven effective as a disease-specific regimen. Such formulas must be prescribed by a physician or other license health care professional. Coverage for certain infant and baby formulas for any twelve months shall not exceed $3000.
Justification
Many infants have been prescribed medically necessary formulas which have been proven effective as a disease-specific treatment regimen for infants who are, or will become, malnourished or suffer from disorders, which, if left untreated, may cause chronic physical disability, mental retardation or death. Specific diseases for which infant formulas have been proven effective include: inherited diseases of amino acid; Crohn's disease; gastroesophageal reflux with failure to thrive; and multiple, severe food allergies. Symptoms of such allergies may also include: loose stools, which may contain blood; vomiting; hives; diarrhea; abdominal cramps; coughing or wheezing; runny nose; watery eyes; itchy skin rash, often around the mouth; and colic.
Infant and baby formulas, which must be purchased to prevent symptoms from occurring, are often more expensive than regular formulas. Especially during these difficult economic times, parents need help to provide the food that is best and safest for their infants.
Currently, in New York State, insurance companies are not required to cover these medically necessary formulas. However, other states, such as Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, and Massachusetts do have provisions which require insurance companies to cover such infant formulas.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
First of January next succeeding the date it becomes a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.