Editorial Supports Legislation for Maternity Care Coverage
A California bill (AB 1825), by Assembly member Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate), that would require individual health insurance plans to cover maternity care has advanced to the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), but "supporters fear it could meet the same fate" as three similar bills the governor vetoed in 2004, 2008 and 2009, a Los Angeles Times editorial states. The bill would require maternity coverage to be included in any policy issued or renewed after July 2011, which would raise "premiums for individual policies by an estimated $8.50 per month," the editorial continues, adding that the increase is "far less than women seeking coverage from" Anthem Blue Cross or a state program called Access for Infants and Mothers would pay.
- "Closing a Maternity Coverage Gap" (Los Angeles Times, 9/20).