Health Care Law Blog

Proposed Bill Would Require Michigan Employers to Provide Information on Reproductive Health Coverage

Michigan legislators Gretchen Whitmer (D- East Lansing) and Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) plan to introduce a bill in the Senate and House this week entitled the "Reproductive Health Coverage Information Act," which would require employers to provide both prospective and current employees with information about health insurance coverage relating to reproductive health.

Specifically, the legislation would require employers to include information on their reproductive health coverage to prospective employees in job postings, advertisements, and job offers. The bill would also require employers to notify current employees in writing of any changes to their current reproductive health coverage, including contraception coverage, at least 90 days in advance.

The legislation is similar to a policy being proposed by New York's Attorney General in response to the Supreme Court's ruling involving chain retailer Hobby Lobby. The Supreme Court held in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. that closely held private companies could refuse to provide contraceptive coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act based upon religious objections.

Stay tuned to the Foster Swift Health Care Blog for updates on this legislation.

Julie C. LaVille authored this article as a Law Clerk.

Categories: Employment