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A03280 Summary:

BILL NOA03280A
 
SAME ASSAME AS S03323-A
 
SPONSORBichotte Hermelyn
 
COSPNSRStirpe, Colton, Cruz, Jackson, Gibbs, Levenberg, Seawright, Epstein, Hyndman, Simon, Lucas, Davila, Weprin, Rozic, Meeks, Lunsford
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L
 
Requires insurance policies to provide coverage for transvaginal ultrasounds during pregnancy.
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A03280 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A3280A
 
SPONSOR: Bichotte Hermelyn
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to enacting the Eli Park- er Levitt law   PURPOSE: This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Eli Parker Levitt Law." The purpose of this bill is to require commercial health insurance coverage of medically necessary transvaginal ultrasounds when recom- mended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.   SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: This bill would require individual, group, and Article 43 commercial health insurance policies provide coverage of medically necessary tran- svaginal ultrasounds when recommended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. For the purposes of this legislation, nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines means evidence-based clinical practice guidelines informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits, and risks of alternative care options intended to optimize patient care developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies utilizing a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a conflict of interest policy.   JUSTIFICATION: Carolyn Spiro Levitt and her husband, Josh, lost their son Eli Parker Levitt, when he was born at 23 weeks in 2020. At 20 weeks, Carolyn was told during a routine appointment that she was three centimeters dilat- ed, nearly fully effaced, and about to go into labor due to a condition cruelly named an "incompetent cervix". Prior to that, the Levitt's were led to believe that everything was fine with their pregnancy. The condi- tion Carolyn developed can be treated and addressed if caught in time through easy-to-conduct testing. Because Carolyn was not tested for the condition earlier in her pregnancy, their son, Eli Levitt, passed away after being born early. This legislation is named the "Eli Parker Levitt Law" to honor his memo- ry and ensure other families are spared a similar tragedy through earli- er screening and intervention. An incompetent cervix, also called a cervical insufficiency, is a condi- tion that occurs when weak cervical tissue causes or contributes to premature birth or the loss of an otherwise healthy pregnancy. Before pregnancy, a woman's cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina is normally closed and rigid. As pregnancy progresses and a woman prepares to give birth, the cervix gradually softens, decreases in length and opens. If a woman has an incompetent cervix, the cervix might begin to open too soon causing premature birth. Submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f) Performing a test and an examination on all expecting women helps to ensure better birth outcomes. Cervical incompetence is a known risk factor for preterm birth and is considered responsible for 5% of extremely preterm deliveries (<28 weeks). The United States is one of the most dangerous developed nations for pregnant mothers and their babies. Nearly 10% of all babies in the US are born prematurely. Premature birth (birth before 37 weeks) and its complications is the leading cause of death in babies in the US; of babies who survive, many have longstanding health problems, including cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, chronic lung disease, and issues with vision and hearing.   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2023-24: A060420 - referred to rules 2021-22: A7741 - referred to insurance   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined.   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. •Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
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