Reproductive Equity Now Statement on New Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Report on Growing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Pregnancy Care
REN is fighting for legislation to demand insurance plans cover the full spectrum of pregnancy care
Boston (March 29, 2022) – Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement today in response to the new Massachusetts Health Policy Commission report that detailed the growing out-of-pocket costs for pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care in Massachusetts.
“Today’s report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission confirms what we've known all along: the out-of-pocket costs of starting or growing a family in Massachusetts have significantly increased over time, and taken a disproportionate toll on low-income families and communities of color. And, we know the culprit–insurance design,” said Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder. “Too many people face steep deductibles when trying to access the full spectrum of pregnancy care. We must reimagine our health care system to center and support the needs of pregnant people, not insurance providers. That’s why Reproductive Equity Now is fighting to pass a law that would require health insurance plans to cover all pregnancy-related care–including abortion care, miscarriage management, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care–without any kind of cost-sharing. Cost should never be a barrier to pregnant people and families getting the care they need, and childbirth should never lead to insurmountable debt."
An Act Ensuring Access to Full Spectrum Pregnancy Care would reform state laws by requiring that all Massachusetts regulated health plans cover the full spectrum of pregnancy-related care without any cost-sharing or copays. The Center for Health Information and Analysis review, required for any insurance mandate bill, estimated it would cost a premium increase of $1.29 per member per month, less than a cup of coffee. The legislation was sent to study in February 2022, but Reproductive Equity Now is continuing to build support around the bill.
Reproductive Equity Now, formerly known as NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, is a grassroots organization focused on passing policies to promote reproductive health equity across New England.
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