FORTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATUREHB 477/a

FIRST SESSION, 2005

March 8, 2005

Madam President:

    Your PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred

HOUSE BILL 477

has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation that it DO PASS, amended as follows:

    1. On page 2, between lines 22 and 23, insert the following new section:

    "Section 2. Section 59A-22-40 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992, Chapter 56, Section 2) is amended to read:

    "59A-22-40. COVERAGE FOR CYTOLOGIC AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS SCREENING.--

         A. Each individual and group health insurance policy, health care plan and certificate of health insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this state shall provide coverage for cytologic and human papillomavirus screening for determining the presence of precancerous or cancerous conditions and other health problems. The coverage shall make available cytologic screening, as determined by the health care provider in accordance with national medical standards, for women who are eighteen years of age or older and for women who are at risk of cancer or at risk of other health conditions that can be identified through cytologic screening. The coverage shall make available human papillomavirus screening once every three years for women aged thirty and older.

         B. Coverage for cytologic and human papillomavirus screening may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate.

         C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified-disease policies.

         D. For the purposes of this section:

             (1) "cytologic screening" means a Papanicolaou test and a pelvic exam for asymptomatic as well as symptomatic women; [and]

             (2) "health care provider" means any person licensed within the scope of his practice to perform cytologic and human papillomavirus screening, including physicians, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives and certified nurse practitioners; and

             (3) "human papillomavirus screening" means a test approved by the federal food and drug administration for detection of the human papillomavirus."".,

and thence referred to the CORPORATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

                               Respectfully submitted,

                               __________________________________

                               Dede Feldman, Chairman

Adopted_______________________ Not Adopted_______________________

          (Chief Clerk) (Chief Clerk)

                  Date ________________________

The roll call vote was 6 For 0 Against

Yes:      6

No:       0

Excused: Ingle, Komadina, Papen

Absent:   None

HB0477PA1                                                  .157642.1