Pregnancy services, drugs on chopping block in Obamacare repeal

March 23--WASHINGTON -- As negotiations continue, Republican U.S. House leaders are looking for changes to legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare that can bring more conservative members on board.

Among the items being looked at is a proposal to strip a requirement that insurance plans provide what the 2010 Affordable Care Act -- Obamacare -- called "essential health benefits."

Conservative members believe that by taking out those guaranteed services, insurers could lower premiums. Others say stripping out those services could leave people facing potentially huge bills in emergencies, however. That means it's possible some more moderate Republicans could abandon the proposal.

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Under the law as it stands now, every health plan offered on the Obamacare exchanges must cover the following services (according to the federal government's Healthcare.gov website):

--Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)

--Emergency services

--Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)

--Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)

--Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)

--Prescription drugs

--Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)

--Laboratory services

--Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management

--Pediatric services, including oral and vision care for children (but adult dental and vision coverage aren't essential health benefits)

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