By A Vote Of 92–2, The Tennessee House Of Representatives Passed A Bill Requiring Health-Insurance Companies To Cover A One-Year Supply Of Contraceptives With Each Dispensation – A Measure That Could Add Up To $1.5 Million To The State Budget.
Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons / CC & Antony-22 / CC
Submitted by Jennifer Hay [founder of Knoxville Nobility] –
On February 9, the Tennessee House of Representatives passed HB0169, which would prohibit health-insurance companies from limiting contraceptive coverage to less than a one-year supply.
The bill is now poised for a floor vote in the Senate, having been recommended by the Commerce and Labor Committee.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, it would take effect on July 1, 2027.
“This bill would merely allow a person to pick up an annual supply at the pharmacy, so they don’t have to go back every one to three months,” said Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes (R), who sponsored the bill.
House Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 92–2. Representatives Butler and Fritz voted against the bill; Representatives Bulso, Capley, and Rudd abstained. Supporters of the bill included House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Deputy House Speaker Jason Zachary.
State fiscal analyst Chris Higgins estimated that the new law could add up to $1.5M to the state budget.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation or by thinning the uterine lining to impede the implantation of a fertilized egg.
Statistically, hormonal contraceptives are about 91% effective, meaning that each year, nine out of every 100 women using this method of birth control will experience an unplanned pregnancy.
For 2023, the CDC reported that the total fertility rate for Tennessee is 1.74 children per woman, well below the population-replacement rate of 2.1.
*The author gratefully acknowledges Taylor Williams for her assistance with this article.
About the Author: Jennifer Hay is the founder of Knoxville Nobility, a Substack publication for local pro-life, pro-family news and insights.
2 Responses
Hope the Senate kills it.
What’s the point of this? Is the author opposed to contraceptives?
Only 4% of Americans oppose contraceptives and 80% support legislation protecting access to contraceptives.
Don’t try to turn your religious views into law – that’s what Muslims do.