California lawmakers are advancing legislation to add pregnancy to the list of so-called ‘life-qualifying events’ allowing people to buy health insurance outside the regular open enrollment period.
U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein of California have urged the state to adopt the measure, and advocates are pressuring federal health authorities to do the same.
The state Assembly approved AB1102 by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago of Los Angeles 59-8 on Thursday.
It mandates that starting in 2017, health insurance companies would be required to let someone without minimum essential coverage enroll or change their health plan if they became pregnant.
Opponents argue that allowing enrollment outside the standard time frame undermines efforts to ensure everyone purchases health insurance as required by law.
The proposal goes to the state Senate for consideration.