Bill
H 3243
SC bill requires the State Health Plan to cover lactation care by IBCLC consultants for pregnant and breastfeeding people, with no patient cost-sharing, effective plan year 2027.
Note on source material
- The provided materials appear to combine text from two different measures (a Massachusetts vehicle‑excise exemption for 100% service‑connected disabled veterans and a South Carolina bill to require State Health Plan coverage for lactation care). Below are clear, separate summaries for each measure and a short note on procedural status based on the supplied metadata. Verify the official legislative website for the jurisdiction you care about to confirm final text and status.
Purpose and intent
- Require the State Health Plan to cover lactation care and services provided by credentialed lactation consultants, beginning with the 2027 plan year, and prohibit patient cost‑sharing for those services. The intent is to expand access to professional lactation support for pregnant and breastfeeding families enrolled in the State Health Plan.
Key provisions
- Effective date: Coverage begins with the plan year starting January 1, 2027; act takes effect upon gubernatorial approval.
- Covered population: All active and retired State employees and employees of public school districts, including their spouses and dependents.
- Scope of coverage: Lactation care and services from a lactation consultant for pregnant and lactating women and to children who are breastfeeding or receiving their mother's milk for six months after childbirth.
- No cost‑sharing: The State Health Plan shall not apply patient cost‑sharing (e.g., copays, coinsurance) to covered lactation care and services.
- Definitions:
- “Lactation care and services” includes assessment, creation/implementation of a lactation care plan, education, outcome evaluation, recommendations and use of assistive devices, and related clinical activities.
- “Lactation consultant” is a licensed health professional who is board certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) as an IBCLC (or successor body) and in good standing.
- Implementation: The Public Health Benefit Authority must promulgate regulations to implement the section.
Who is affected
- State Health Plan members (active/retired employees and covered dependents) in the State (South Carolina as drafted). Lactation consultants (IBCLCs) may see increased demand and reimbursement opportunities.
Potential impacts
- Improved access to evidence‑based lactation support for new parents, likely increasing breastfeeding initiation/duration.
- Financial impact on the State Health Plan budget (costs of services previously subject to cost‑sharing are shifted to the plan); exact fiscal effects would depend on utilization and reimbursement rates.
- Administrative work for the Public Health Benefit Authority to adopt implementing regulations.
Purpose and intent
- Amend Chapter 60A, §1 to exempt from the motor vehicle excise any vehicle owned and registered by a veteran who is documented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 100% service‑connected disabled (as defined in 38 U.S.C. §101).
Key provisions
- Adds a paragraph to ch. 60A, §1 stating the excise shall not apply to vehicles owned/registered by veterans defined under chapter 4, §7 who are 100% service‑connected disabled per VA records.
Who is affected
- Eligible veterans (Massachusetts residents who hold a 100% service‑connected disability rating with VA), local assessors/treasurers who collect motor vehicle excise, and municipal revenues (potential reduction in motor vehicle excise receipts).
Potential impacts
- Tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans.
- Potential revenue loss for municipalities and corresponding fiscal considerations.
If you want, I can:
- Look up the bill on the official legislature site (please confirm which state/jurisdiction), or
- Produce a one‑page comparison of fiscal and implementation issues for the lactation coverage provision.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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