Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Give Expecting Parents Choice Over Child Health Care Insurance

Today, Representative Sharice Davids reintroduced her Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act, a bipartisan bill designed to cut insurer red tape, avoid surprise medical bills, and give parents decision-making power over their infant’s health care — not the insurance company. She was joined by Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08).

Currently, many expecting parents with separate health insurance policies are subject to an obscure and often undisclosed rule known as “the birthday rule,” which determines the insurance policy that will cover a new baby — regardless of what the parents want. Insurance companies often do not inform parents of this policy, which can result in surprise medical bills for growing families.

That’s what happened to the Kjelshus family of Olathe, KS, when they welcomed their daughter Charlie into the world — leaving them with a $270,951 out-of-network hospital bill even though they had planned for Charlie’s birth based on the coverage they expected to use.

“Every parent should be able to focus on the health of their newborn — not on navigating fine print or fighting surprise bills,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill puts families first by giving them the power to choose the best health care coverage for their child. I'm proud to work across the aisle with Congressman Evans to cut red tape and protect new parents from being blindsided during one of the most important moments of their lives.”

The Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act would give parents 60 days after the birth of their child to choose which insurance policy will cover their new baby. It would also give the Administration authority to instruct insurers on how and when to notify parents of their rights, helping more families avoid frustrating red tape, surprise bills, and insurance policy mazes.

“As a parent of a medically complex kid who spent years in and out of hospitals receiving specialty care, I understand firsthand how critically important it is to make sure every family has a say in the best care for themselves and their child,” said Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08). “I’m proud to co-lead the Empowering Parents' Healthcare Choices Act to ensure that new parents across the country have the freedom to choose what insurance plan works best for their family’s needs.”

“First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the introduction of the Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act by Representatives Sharice Davids and Gabe Evans,” said Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children. “This legislation is a vital step toward ensuring that every child receives the health care coverage they need and deserve starting at birth. By giving parents the freedom to choose the best insurance for their newborn, we can eliminate unnecessary financial burdens and protect families from the confusion and hardship caused by outdated insurance rules. Every child should have access to comprehensive, affordable health care — and this bill helps make that a reality for more children across the United States.”

Davids is a fierce advocate for making health care affordable and accessible to all Kansans. She supported legislation to protect patients from out-of-network surprise medical bills, which shielded patients from millions of surprise bills since passage. This law included Davids’ original legislation to improve insurer transparency, helping patients avoid unintentional out-of-network health care visits.

Davids also voted for major legislation that gives Medicare the power to negotiate down the price of prescription drugs, which will save 74,000 Kansans up to 79 percent on their prescriptions. The law also capped insulin costs for Kansans on Medicare at $35 a month and capped Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 per year.