Arkansas “Contraception Incentive” for Medicaid Beneficiaries (HB 1868)

HB 1868 would create a “contraception incentive” for low-income women in the state’s Medicaid program. Under this bill, an unmarried woman who already has one child and is receiving Medicaid benefits would be eligible to receive a one-time contraception incentive if she:

• Consents to have a surgically implanted contraception device or other similar reversible birth control device with a five year or longer period of effectiveness;
• Receives a surgically implanted contraception device or other similar reversible birth control device with a five year or longer period of effectiveness; and
• Provides documentation that she already has such a device.

If a woman already has a device, she would be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement for the procedure.

As reported by RH Reality Check:

The bill is reminiscent of the so-called family cap laws that were passed after welfare reform during the Clinton administration. These laws restricted the amount of government assistance low-income families could receive if they had more children.

 

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