Bills Seek to Buffer Potential Repeal of Health Care Law
OLYMPIA (AP) — Democrats in Washington state want to make sure that even if national Republicans and President Donald Trump follow through on a promise to repeal the Obama-era national health care law, preventative health coverage benefits remain intact in the state.
Two bills — one in the House, the other in the Senate — have been introduced that would require health plans to continue to cover the same preventive health services that were required by federal law as of the end of last year.
So things like flu shots and other immunizations, autism screening for children, and blood pressure and cholesterol screens would all continue to be covered without co-pays, regardless of what happens at the federal level. Contraception would also continue to be covered without out-of-pocket costs, except for the federal exemptions that exist, like for religious employer plans.