Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 8 amends the Insurance Code to establish the Omnibus Women's Equal Health Care Act. The bill requires a health benefit plan to reimburse a physician or provider for reproductive health and oncology services provided to women an amount not less than the annual average compensation per hour or unit as would be paid in the service area for providing the same or similar health services to men or to the general population. The bill also provides for the imposition of sanctions and administrative penalties by the commissioner of insurance as well as for judicial review of such actions on appeal by a person affected by an action of the commissioner.

            Senate Bill 8 applies only to an insurance policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002, and it requires the Texas Board of Health, the Texas Board of Human Services, and the Texas Department of Insurance to repeal any rules contrary to the bill and to adopt necessary rules by November 30, 2001.