HD67 - Mandated Coverage for Phenylketonuria, Maple Syrup Urine Disease, and Homocystinuria

  • Published: 2000
  • Author: Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits
  • Enabling Authority: Code of Virginia - § 9-298

Executive Summary:
During the 1999 Session of the General Assembly, the House Committee on Corporations, Insurance and Banking referred House Bill 2197 and House Bill 2199 to the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits (Advisory Commission). House Bill 2197 and House Bill 2199 were patroned by Delegate Robert F. McDonnell.

The Advisory Commission received public comments on House Bill 2197 and House Bill 2199 at the June 1, 1999 meeting in Richmond. Representatives from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Pediatrics, Division of Metabolism, and four concerned citizens spoke in favor of the bills. In addition, written comments in support of the bills were provided by Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Pediatrics, Division of Metabolism Program, and two concerned citizens. The Virginia Manufacturers Association submitted comments in opposition to the bills. On August 24, 1999, representatives from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Pediatrics, Division of Metabolism, and seven concerned citizens spoke again in support of the bills and representatives of the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) and the Virginia Association of Health Plans spoke in opposition. The HIAA provided written comments on House Bill 2197.

The Advisory Commission held a public hearing at the August 24, 1999 meeting and the patron of the bills, Delegate Robert F. McDonnell, submitted amendments to House Bill 2197 and House Bill 2199. The amended bills would be mandated benefits as opposed to mandated offers of coverage for food and formulas for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism. Delegate Robert F. McDonnell stated that other states require coverage as mandated benefits; the total cost of these mandated benefits is nominal; the number of families needing coverage is small; and the insurance premiums would remain the same given the fact that only 86 patients are currently diagnosed with a metabolic disorder.