Senate gives unanimous approval to Sanborn bill to protect life insurance consumers

AUGUSTA — A bill from Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, to help protect life insurance customers in Maine received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Senate on Tuesday. LD 1047, “An Act To Prohibit Consideration of Naloxone Purchases in Life Insurance Underwriting,” would ensure life insurance companies can’t discriminate against the family, friends and neighbors of those recovering from opioid use disorder.

“Health care workers and police officers should not have to worry about whether they’ll be denied insurance coverage just because of the life-saving tools they carry. ” said Sen. Sanborn, chair of the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. “The Senate’s strong support for this bill is a reflection of our understanding of the opioid crisis’ effect on all Maine people, including Good Samaritans.”

As amended, LD 1047 would prohibit a denial or limitation of coverage or an increase in insurance premiums under a life insurance policy if a person has been issued a prescription for naloxone or has purchased naloxone. An exception would be made if that person has a demonstrated history of opioid use disorder.

In April 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public health advisory calling on those who are dealing with opioid use disorder, those who are prescribed high doses of opioid drugs, as well as family and community members who many come in contact with them, to acquire and learn how to administer the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. The advisory carries the tagline “BE PREPARED. GET NALOXONE. SAVE A LIFE.”

Later that year, National Public Radio reported that a nurse employed at Boston Medical Center was denied life insurance coverage because she carried a prescription for naloxone. The nurse carried the prescription as part of her work in an addiction treatment program at the hospital. The insurance company considered the prescription an indication that the nurse abused drugs, although she carried it to save the life of another person.

In order to help combat the opioid crisis in Maine, the 128th Legislature enacted a law that allowed naloxone to be prescribed and dispensed to anyone, with or without a personal prescription.

LD 1047 faces further votes in the Maine Senate and House.