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The Reproductive Health Parity Act

HB 685, the Reproductive Health Parity Act, builds on the progress New Hampshire has made in recent years to ensure that Granite Staters' insurance covers the health care they need by requiring that commercial insurance plans, including plans on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, cover abortion if they also cover maternity benefits. This bill protects against barriers to abortion care access and helps ensure that a pregnant person can make their own reproductive health decisions. 

The Reproductive Health Parity Act also protects Granite Staters from instability in federal laws and regulations, including two rule changes to the Affordable Care Act that would create additional barriers to care. The Reproductive Health Parity Act is a necessary measure to ensure that these rules don’t result in major losses of insurance coverage for Granite Staters.

Who does this cover?

  • HB 685 would require coverage of abortion for private insurance and plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, if the plans also cover maternity care. 

  • HB 685 would not cover self-insured plans, which are governed by federal law (ERISA). The state Department of Insurance does not have jurisdiction over such plans. 

  • HB 685 would not cover Medicaid.

Why do we need the Reproductive Health Parity Act?

  • Right now in New Hampshire, insurance companies can decide to not cover abortion services. The Reproductive Health Parity Act will ensure coverage. 

  • HB 685 protects Granite Staters from rule changes by the Trump administration that will make it more difficult for plans to offer coverage for abortion and would make it easier for them to exclude abortion. 

  • HB 685 builds upon the progress New Hampshire has made to protect health care access:

    • In 2019, New Hampshire enshrined the essential health benefits of the ACA into state law and passed a law that requires New Hampshire insurers to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment. 

    • New Hampshire law already requires insurance to cover no-copay contraception thanks to another law passed in 2018.

  • With so many facing uncertainty due to COVID-19, it’s even more critical than ever to pass this critical protection for Granite Staters.

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