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Women's Health, Your Way

February 24, 2026

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Women's Health Legislation

The latest news on laws that impact women’s health — stay informed on what’s happening now.

Health insurance; coverage for certain contraceptive drugs, devices, and products.

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Virginia Senate Bill 361 aims to ensure that health insurance plans cover a wider range of contraceptive drugs, devices, and products. The bill mandates that insurers provide coverage for any prescribed contraceptive approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including over-the-counter options. This is intended to improve access to contraceptives for individuals regardless of their insurance plan.

The bill specifies that insurers cannot impose higher costs or additional fees on individuals receiving prescription contraceptive benefits compared to others in the same benefits category. Moreover, if a healthcare provider recommends a specific contraceptive due to medical needs, the plan must cover it without additional cost-sharing.

Additionally, the legislation requires insurers to provide clear, accessible information about contraceptive coverage options in their plans. However, it also clarifies that it does not mandate coverage for contraceptives in policies that do not cover prescription drugs or for experimental drugs not approved by the FDA.

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Medical Record Amendments

Utah House Bill 480 Summary

House Bill 480, titled "Medical Record Amendments," is a piece of legislation introduced in Utah's 2026 General Session. It is classified as a partisan bill, primarily sponsored by Republican legislators.

As of February 23, 2026, the bill has been received by the Senate after passing through the House and is now waiting for introduction in the Senate. This indicates that it is in the process of being reviewed and potentially debated by Senate members.

The bill aims to make changes related to medical records, though specific details about the amendments are not provided in the summary sourced from LegiScan. For those interested, the full text of the bill can be downloaded for review.

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Abortion

Alaska Senate Bill 271 (SB271) is a legislative proposal introduced for the 2025-2026 session. The bill addresses issues related to abortion and is categorized as a partisan bill sponsored by a Republican.

As of February 23, 2026, SB271 has been introduced and referred to the Health & Social Services committee for further consideration. The bill's current status is "introduced," indicating it has not yet been passed into law.

For those interested in the details of the bill, a downloadable PDF version is available, although some users may encounter issues viewing it directly on their computers.

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Requires contracts for insurance and medical assistance to provide value-based care for maternity coverage; defines value-based care as an arrangement that financially rewards certain positive outcomes and financially penalizes certain negative outcomes.

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New York Senate Bill 6650 aims to improve maternity care by requiring insurance and medical assistance contracts to adopt value-based care models. This means that insurers will financially reward positive health outcomes and penalize negative ones, specifically in maternity services.

The bill mandates that by the end of 2026, insurers must enter into value-based arrangements with hospitals and birthing centers that provide at least 85% of maternity care for their enrollees. By 2027, this requirement increases to 95% of care. A critical aspect of this legislation is its focus on reducing unnecessary negative outcomes, such as cesarean sections performed on low-risk individuals.

The amendments also include changes to various insurance and public health laws to implement these value-based arrangements effectively. The intent is to enhance the quality of maternity care by aligning financial incentives with positive health results.

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Modifies provisions relating to abortion

Missouri Senate Bill 1692 is a proposed piece of legislation concerning abortion. It was introduced in the Missouri State Legislature on February 19, 2026.

The bill has a partisan sponsorship, with one Democrat backing it. Currently, it remains in the introductory stage of the legislative process.

For those who wish to explore the official document, it is available for download, but it may not display directly on some devices.

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Concerning the corporate practice of medicine.

Washington Senate Bill 5387 focuses on the corporate practice of medicine. It is sponsored by a group of seven Democratic lawmakers.

The bill has been introduced and is currently in the legislative process. As of February 16, 2026, it has been placed on the second reading by the Rules Committee.

The legislation and its details can be accessed through the Washington State Legislature website, allowing for further tracking and information.

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Contraceptives; establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement, etc.

Virginia Senate Bill 596 aims to establish a legal framework ensuring the right to obtain contraceptives without governmental interference. The bill outlines definitions and provisions regarding contraception, which includes various FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and grants both individuals and healthcare providers the right to access and provide contraceptive information and services.

The bill prohibits any state or local laws that would limit or impede access to contraception. It also asserts that any laws or policies infringing on this right must meet a standard of being consistent with accepted medical practices and evidence-based standards.

Enforcement mechanisms are included in the bill, allowing the Attorney General to bring actions against violations and enabling individuals or healthcare providers affected by such violations to initiate civil actions. Courts are empowered to declare any conflicting laws or policies illegal and provide suitable remedies.

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Requiring the Kansas department of health and environment to provide forms and notices to physicians pursuant to the woman's-right-to know act.

Kansas House Bill 2729 is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the communication of health information regarding pregnancies. The bill requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to provide specific forms and notices to physicians in accordance with the women's right-to-know act.

This bill has currently been introduced and is scheduled for a hearing in the House on February 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Room 346-S. The bill is categorized as a committee bill and is in its introductory stage within the 2025-2026 regular session.

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Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program; established, report.

Virginia Senate Bill 721 aims to establish a Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program to improve maternal health care. This program will focus on remote patient monitoring for issues like maternal hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum.

The program, set to run in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, will be administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. This department will choose managed care organizations and technology vendors to facilitate the program, ensuring proper monitoring and support for eligible participants.

Eligible participants include pregnant patients who receive medical assistance services. The plan involves using technology to collect and securely transmit health data, enabling health care providers to monitor patients' conditions effectively. Participants will also receive training on using the remote monitoring devices and have access to health coaching and immediate support if health indicators raise concern.

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Stop harm-empower women with informed notices.

Wyoming House Bill 117 aims to empower women by ensuring they receive informed notices regarding health-related issues. The legislation emphasizes the importance of providing clear information to women to help them make informed decisions about their health.

This bill is categorized as a partisan bill, sponsored by Republican legislators. It was introduced in the Wyoming State Legislature on February 9, 2026, and is currently in the introductory phase, with further actions or votes not yet recorded.

The focus of the bill highlights a commitment to supporting women's health rights and promoting awareness of potential harm while ensuring that individuals have access to necessary information.

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