The House Health Care & Wellness Committee on Feb. 7 voted to report out substitute House Bill 1291 with a due‑pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that narrows how labor and delivery charges interact with enrollee deductibles.

House staff told the committee HB 1291 would make labor and delivery services not subject to an enrollee’s deductible. Kim Whitener, staff to the committee, summarized the bill and the amendment: “House Bill 1291 is the bill that makes labor and delivery services not subject to an enrollee's deductible. There is 1 amendment, week 8, from Representative Schmick.”

The adopted amendment (week 8) narrows the bill to apply to plans that use global maternity care billing codes and specifies that in‑network delivery services are not subject to an enrollee’s deductible. It also requires any cost sharing for in‑network delivery services to be applied toward that enrollee’s deductible obligation, rather than treating all labor and delivery services the same across plans.

Representative Schmick, who moved the amendment, told the committee, “This does narrow that, narrows the expenses that will be allowed to go against the deductible and clarifies it, but it does narrow it and skinny it down.” Representative Rule, the bill mover, described the measure as “a great bill for families,” urging colleagues to “please vote yes.”

The committee rolled the adopted amendment into a substitute and then voted on the substitute. Staff announced the roll call: 14 ayes, 5 nays, 0 absent or excused. By that vote, substitute House Bill 1291 was reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

The committee’s action sends the substitute bill to the full House for further consideration. The committee record shows both supporter and opponent concerns during debate: supporters emphasized affordability for families, while opponents warned about shifting costs and potential broader effects on cost‑sharing policy.