SD7 - Mandated Coverage for Pap Smears (Senate Bill No. 1028, 1995)
Executive Summary: During the 1995 Session of the General Assembly, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor referred Senate Bill 1028 to the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits (Advisory Commission). Senate 8ill1028 is patroned by Senator Kenneth W. Stolle. The Advisory Commission held a hearing on May 8, 1995, in Richmond to receive public comments on Senate Bill 1028. In addition to the patron, one speaker addressed the proposal. Dr. Randell West, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Virginia, spoke in favor of the bill. Dr. West and Ms. Patti Fogg, of the American Cancer Society, submitted written comments to the Advisory Commission supporting the measure. Trigon BlueCross BlueShield of Virginia (Trigon), BlueCross BlueShield of the National Capital Area, the Virginia Manufacturers Association, and the Health Insurance Association of America submitted written comments in opposition to the bill. The Virginia Association of Health Maintenance Organizations (VAHMO) filed written comments noting that HMOs cover pap smears routinely as basic health services. VAHMO also emphasized that it is critical that Virginia not enact legislation with requirements that differ from accepted national standards. VAHMO suggested that if the Advisory Commission determines that a mandate is appropriate, pap smears should be a mandated offer of coverage. In written comments, Advisory Commission member Dr. John T. Ashley, Associate Vice President of the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, recommended that the bill be supported; however, the schedule for screening should be amended to reflect another schedule found on the national level. The Advisory Commission concluded its review of Senate Bill 1028 on July 10, 1995. |
Menu
Published Documents
