00SENATE BILL NO. 193                                                                                                     
01 "An Act requiring insurance coverage for certain costs of birth; and providing                                          
02 for an effective date."                                                                                                 
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 21.42 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                   
05  Sec. 21.42.347.  COVERAGE FOR COSTS OF BIRTH.  (a)  An insurer who                                                    
06 provides coverage for the costs of childbirth shall also provide coverage for the costs                                 
07 of hospitalization or medical care following childbirth for a period of not less than                                   
08   (1)  48 hours after a vaginal birth; and                                                                             
09   (2)  96 hours after a caesarean birth.                                                                               
10  (b)  In this section, "insurer" includes                                                                              
11   (1)  an insurer, as defined in AS 21.90.900;                                                                         
12   (2)  a group health plan, as defined in 29 U.S.C. 1167(l) (Employee                                                  
13 Retirement Income Security Act of 1974);                                                                                
14   (3)  a health maintenance organization, as defined in AS 21.86.900;                                                  

01   (4)  a hospital service corporation or medical service corporation, as                                               
02 defined in AS 21.87.330;                                                                                                
03   (5)  a writing carrier, as defined in AS 21.55.500; and                                                              
04   (6)  an entity offering a service benefit plan, as referred to in 42 U.S.C.                                          
05 1396g.                                                                                                                  
06    * Sec. 2.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to a policy of insurance issued or renewed                               
07 on or after the effective date of this Act.                                                                             
08    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).