1998-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 2380
HB 350                                                                       
The Health, Education & Social Services Committee has considered:              
                                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO. 350                                                            
"An Act requiring that the cost of contraceptives and related health          
care services be included in health insurance coverage."                       
                                                                               
The report was signed by Representative Bunde, Chair, with the                 
following individual recommendations:                                          
                                                                               
Do pass (3): Green, Bunde, Kemplen                                             
                                                                               
Do not pass (2): Dyson, Porter                                                 
                                                                               
No recommendation (1): Brice                                                   
                                                                               
A Health, Education & Social Services Committee letter of intent for           
HB 350, signed by Representative Bunde, Chair, appears below:                  
                                                                               
"Contraceptive technology is constantly changing, and even medical             
experts disagree on how certain methods of contraception work.  Thus,          
this committee believes it is unwise for the legislature to dispute            
specific methods, but that it is very important to clarify the intent of       
HB 350.                                                                        
                                                                               
This legislation is intended to require insurance providers in Alaska to       
cover contraceptives and contraceptive services.                               
                                                                               
Contraceptives have the primary purpose of, or special utility for,            
preventing conception.                                                         
                                                                               
The committee intends that conception be understood as the                     
fertilization of an ovum.                                                      
                                                                               

1998-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 2381
HB 350                                                                       
The committee does not intend to require insurance coverage for any          
appliance, drug or medicinal preparation (or related health care service)      
the primary purpose of which is to affect a fertilized ovum.  Put more         
plainly, the committee does not intend to mandate coverage for                 
abortions."                                                                    
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development,                    
2/20/98                                                                        
                                                                               
HB 350 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee.