Advocacy Correspondence: PA House Insurance Committee, Support for House Bill 2138

May 3, 2024

 

Dear Chairwoman Kim, Chairwoman Pickett, and Members of the House Insurance Committee:

On behalf of over 230 member hospitals and health systems, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) supports House Bill 2138, sponsored by Representative Mandy Steele. This legislation requires insurance coverage for blood pressure monitors for home use on a per-pregnancy basis.

Pennsylvania hospitals participate in approximately 97 percent of the more than 130,000 births statewide each year and are deeply invested in healthy pregnancy and childbirth. A noteworthy example of this work is that 95 percent of Pennsylvania’s 79 birthing hospitals work together on an ongoing basis to develop and share quality improvement opportunities through Pennsylvania’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative.

Pregnancy is a dynamic experience during which health can change rapidly and timely intervention is critical. Four out of five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Preeclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity and can lead to stroke. Some—but not all—insurance plans provide coverage for blood pressure monitors for postpartum home readings. Requiring insurance coverage of blood pressure monitors on a per- pregnancy basis ensures equity in access to these life-saving devices.

On behalf of the hospital community, we respectfully ask that you support House Bill 2138.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Watkins
Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Policy

c: The Honorable Mandy Steele

 

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Topics: Public Health, State Advocacy

Revision Date: 5/3/2024

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