BHB/2/12
Sponsored by Chloe Benson, Lynnlee Hendrix of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences
This legislation was filed in the Commerce and Insurance category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH LEGISLATURE |
| 2 | Section 1: Terms in this act, unless the context requires otherwise, shall be defined as follows: |
| 3 | Insurance: A practice or arrangement by which a company or government agency provides a |
| 4 | guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a |
| 5 | premium |
| 6 | Compensation: Money that is paid to someone in exchange for something that has been lost or |
| 7 | damaged |
| 8 | Essential Items: Diapers, Formula, and Wipes |
| 9 | Infant: A child between the ages of 0 and 2 |
| 10 | |
| 11 | Section 2: Recognizing the importance of early childhood development and the financial burden it |
| 12 | can place on families, this bill aims to provide necessary support by mandating insurance coverage |
| 13 | for essential items such as food, wipes, and diapers during the first two years of a child's life. |
| 14 | Scientific evidence has shown that early childhood experiences have a huge impact on a child’s |
| 15 | healthy development. Adequate nutrition and proper care lay the foundation for physical growth, |
| 16 | cognitive development, and mental well-being. The act will ensure that all infants have equal |
| 17 | access to a healthy start. |
| 18 | |
| 19 | Section 3: This bill will require all health insurance policies, whether provided by private or public |
| 20 | entities, to include coverage for the cost of infant formula, baby wipes, and diapers for infants |
| 21 | during the first two years of their life. The coverage shall include both brand-name and generic |
| 22 | products, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all families. Insurance providers shall not |
| 23 | impose additional deductibles, co payments, or coinsurance for these essential items covered |
| 24 | under this act. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | Section 4: By ensuring access to essential items such as infant formula, baby wipes, and diapers, |
| 27 | this bill aims to alleviate financial strain on families during the critical early years of childhood |
| 28 | development, promoting the health and well-being of our nation's youngest citizens. |
| 29 | Section 5: Failure to comply with this mandate shall result in penalties as determined by the |
| 30 | appropriate regulatory body overseeing insurance practices. Individuals who believe their |
| 31 | insurance provider is not complying with this mandate may file complaints with the relevant |
| 32 | regulatory bodies for investigation and resolution. |
| 33 | |
| 34 | Section 6: This bill will expand the benefits of TennCare; that funding will come from the money |
| 35 | already designed for low-income state subsidized insurance. Requirements on the private |
| 36 | insurance companies have no impact on the state budget. Section 7: All laws or parts of laws in |
| 37 | conflict with this act are hereby repealed. |
| 38 | Section 8: This act will go into effect on January 1st, 2025. |
| 39 |