The proposed bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new section, designated 5-16-33, known as the Mens Equality Act. This legislation mandates that the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance plan provide 100 percent coverage for voluntary male sterilization procedures. It outlines specific requirements to ensure that participants or beneficiaries receiving these benefits are not denied eligibility or penalized in any way that would circumvent the coverage mandated by this section.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that health benefit plans and insurers retain the right to negotiate reimbursement levels with providers, as long as these negotiations comply with the new coverage requirements. The provisions of this section are set to be included in any policy, contract, or plan delivered after July 1, 2026, thereby ensuring that the Mens Equality Act is effectively implemented and recognized within the state's insurance framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-16-33