N.J. Assembly Members Zwicker, Murphy, Sumter Bill Protecting Women’s Rights to Healthcare Coverage of Contraceptives Under State-Based Health Exchange Approved by Full Assembly

TRENTON, New Jersey, June 24 -- The New Jersey Assembly Democrats issued the following news:

Legislation revising state law to require healthcare coverage of contraceptives sponsored by Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon), Carol Murphy (D-Burlington) and Shavonda Sumter (D-Bergen, Passaic) was approved by the full Assembly, 48-25-3, on Thursday.

The bill (A-5508) would provide that health insurance carriers and the State Health Benefits Program subject to the bill would be required to provide coverage for the certain services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures, including contraceptive drugs, devices and products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, subject to certain conditions.

The Assembly sponsors issued the following statement on the passage of the bill:

"Federal changes to the Affordable Care Act aimed to jeopardize women's access to safe, preventive care. This legislation will remove those obstacles in New Jersey and preserve the benefits afforded to residents' under the ACA. With this bill, women will continue to have insurance that covers contraception without having to pay out of pocket."

The bill will now go to the Senate for further consideration.