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HB 1052

TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS DISEASE IMMUNIZATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justin Boyd and 2 co-sponsors

HB 1052 aimed to require Arkansas health plans to cover RSV immunization for infants under eight months, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for families.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1052

Summary of House Bill 1052

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HB 1052
Title: To Mandate Coverage for Certain Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Immunization Technologies for Certain Individuals
Status: Withdrawn by Author
Introduced: November 25, 2024
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1052 aimed to mandate health benefit plans in Arkansas to provide coverage for monoclonal antibodies used for the immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease in infants. The bill sought to ensure that infants under eight months old would have access to this critical immunization without the burden of additional costs such as deductibles or copayments.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several important provisions:

  1. Coverage Requirement:

    • Starting January 1, 2026, all health benefit plans offered in Arkansas would be required to cover monoclonal antibodies for RSV immunization for infants, following guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  2. Cost Structure:

    • The coverage would not be subject to annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance limits, ensuring that families would not face out-of-pocket expenses for this specific immunization.

  3. Definitions:

    • The bill included definitions for key terms such as "health benefit plan," "healthcare insurer," "infant," and "respiratory syncytial virus disease," clarifying the scope and applicability of the legislation.

  4. Implementation Rules:

    • The Arkansas Insurance Commissioner and other relevant authorities were tasked with promulgating necessary rules to implement the provisions of the bill, ensuring compliance by health insurers and programs.

Affected Parties

  • Infants: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would have been infants under eight months old, who are at higher risk for severe RSV disease.
  • Health Benefit Plans: All health insurers operating in Arkansas would have been required to adjust their policies to include this coverage.
  • Healthcare Providers: Providers administering the immunization would need to be aware of the coverage to inform families appropriately.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on January 13, 2025.
  • It was withdrawn by the author on January 22, 2025, before any further legislative action could take place.

Conclusion

While HB 1052 aimed to enhance healthcare access for infants at risk of RSV, its withdrawal means that the proposed changes will not be enacted. The bill highlighted the ongoing discussions around immunization coverage and healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations in Arkansas.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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