RD22 - Senate Bill 870 - Mandated Coverage for Prophylactic Surgeries


Executive Summary:
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor referred Senate Bill 870 to the Advisory Commission for review during the 2003 Session of the General Assembly. Senate Bill 870 was introduced by Senator R. Creigh Deeds. Senate Bill 870 amends and adds § 38.2-3407.5:2 to the Code of Virginia and prohibits each insurer from refusing to provide coverage for prophylactic surgeries for several conditions where the insured’s physician has determined a genetic predisposition due to family history of a difficult-to-diagnose pathology.

The Advisory Commission held a public hearing on September 15, 2003 in Richmond to receive public comments on Senate Bill 870. In addition to the bill’s chief patron, three interested parties spoke in favor of Senate Bill 870. Two cancer survivors, who had successfully undergone a prophylactic procedure to prevent cancer, provided testimony in support of the proposed legislation. The third speaker was a physician. One speaker representing the Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) was opposed to the proposed legislation.

In addition, several letters were received by the Advisory Commission addressing Senate Bill 870. Three of the letters supported the bill, and two of the letters acknowledged their opposition to the proposed mandate.

The Advisory Commission concluded its review on Senate Bill 870 on November 17, 2003.