Calif. Bills Would Change Maternity Coverage Rules, Ban Shackling of Pregnant Prisoners During Labor

October 4, 2011 — Three bills before California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) would adjust provisions of health care coverage for pregnant women in California, the Los Angeles Times reports. The governor has not indicated his position on any of the measures.

One bill (SB 222), by Sen. Noreen Evans (D), would require health plans in the individual market to cover maternity care. In California, HMOs and employer-sponsored insurance policies must include maternity care, but individual plans do not have the same requirement.

Evans said the bill would help reduce public expenses because women who cannot find coverage turn to state-supported health care. She added that about 19% of people with individual policies had maternity coverage in 2009, compared with 82% in 2004.

Richard Wiebe -- a spokesperson for the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies -- said some insurers argue that people who do not need maternity coverage should not have to pay for it. Other insurers have said establishing a new maternity coverage mandate in the state is not needed because the federal health reform law will require it in 2014.

Another bill (SB 299), also by Evans, would require employers to continue providing coverage for women during maternity leave. Beth McGovern, legislative director of the California Commission on the Status of Women, said women are put in the "terrible position" of choosing between medical care and taking time off of work.

The third bill (AB 568), by Assembly members Holly Mitchell (D) and Nancy Skinner (D), would ban the use of shackles on most pregnant prisoners and allow less restrictive restraints (Gorman, Los Angeles Times, 10/1).