What's happening
This bill requires insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to also cover the cost of donated breast milk.
Why it matters
Addresses infant nutrition equity. By requiring insurance to cover donated breast milk, the bill helps ensure that medically vulnerable infants (such as premature or ill babies whose mothers cannot provide milk) have access to an optimal source of nutrition, potentially improving health outcomes.
Reduces financial burden on families. Donated breast milk can be expensive and is often not covered by insurance, meaning families in need must pay out-of-pocket. This bill would decrease or eliminate those costs, making donated milk more accessible regardless of a family's financial situation.
Supports public health goals. Breast milk is associated with lower rates of infection, hospitalization, and long-term health complications in infants, especially those at high risk. By expanding insurance coverage, the bill could contribute to reduced healthcare costs and improved public health over time.
Sets a precedent for insurance coverage. The legislation could pave the way for similar mandates in other states or for other medically necessary foods and therapies, marking a shift in how insurance policies address non-traditional but critical medical needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Insurers Cover Donated Breast Milk
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
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.
Insure Donor Breast Milk
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2249
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring insurance coverage for the cost of donated breast milk
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 35 to read as follows:
(35) Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 21 to read as follows:
(21) Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (ss) to read as follows:
(ss) Every contract issued by a hospital services corporation or a health services corporation which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05126-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring insurance coverage for the cost of donated breast milk
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
Section 2. Every policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of donated breast milk.
Section 3. Every contract issued by a hospital services corporation or a health services corporation which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for the cost of the donated breast milk.
Justification
Insurance coverage for donated breast milk would provide families assistance with the costs of human donor breast milk. There are many benefits to human milk. Human breast milk contains antibodies that help fight off viruses and bacteria. Newborn babies who are fed breast milk within the first six months have fewer infections and respiratory illnesses. In addition, breast milk also reduces the risk of a baby developing asthma or allergies.
Legislative history
S.7190 of 2018 (Hoylman): Died in Insurance
A.7897 of 2017-2018 (Solages): Died in Insurance
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.