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Representative Sharice Davids reintroduced the bipartisan Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act, aimed at reducing insurer red tape, preventing surprise medical bills, and giving parents control over their infant’s health insurance coverage instead of insurance companies. She was joined by Congressman Gabe Evans.
“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 Evans “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.”
Currently, many parents with separate health insurance plans face the “birthday rule,” a little-known policy that determines which parent’s insurance covers a newborn—often without parents’ knowledge. This can lead to unexpected medical bills.
The Kjelshus family of Olathe, KS, experienced this firsthand when they received a $270,951 out-of-network hospital bill for their daughter Charlie, despite planning based on their expected coverage.
“Every parent should be able to focus on the health of their newborn — not on navigating fine print or fighting surprise bills,” said Rep. 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 bill would allow parents 60 days after birth to choose which insurance policy covers their baby and empower the administration to require insurers to notify parents of their rights. This aims to help families avoid confusing paperwork, surprise bills, and insurance hurdles. Davids, a strong advocate for affordable healthcare, has supported laws protecting patients from surprise bills and increasing insurer transparency. She also backed legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, lowering costs for thousands of Kansans and capping insulin and out-of-pocket drug expenses for Medicare beneficiaries.
