HRI Supports House Bill 5243 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- GENDER RATING.

Today, the Humanists of Rhode Island turned in this testimony to the House Corporations Committee. It looks like this legislation will pass without problems.

Chairperson Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy

also:

Representative Cale P. Keable
Representative Peter G. Palumbo
Representative Gregory J. Costantino
Representative Linda D. Finn
Representative Raymond H. Johnston, Jr.
Representative Katherine S. Kazarian
Representative Kenneth A. Marshall
Representative Mary Messier
Representative Jared R. Nunes
Representative Jeremiah T. O'Grady
Representative Robert D. Phillips
Representative Joseph A. Trillo

The Humanists of Rhode Island in keeping with our commitment to equality and opposition to discrimination, fully support House Bill 5243 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- GENDER RATING.

This bill seeks to eliminate insurance rates for health coverage based on gender, and gender equality under the law is an important concern to our members, over half of whom are women.

That this rule is already adopted in seven surrounding states and mandated under Obamacare should make the passage of this bill a simple decision. Rhode Island can either get ahead of this now for all the right reasons: equality, fairness, etc., or have the mandate forced upon us as if this wasn't the right thing to do all along.

On a personal note, as a husband and father, I want the three women in my life to be treated fairly and equitably in society, and laws that support gender neutrality help to achieve this.

So once again, I urge you to pass House Bill  5243.

Sincerely,

Steve Ahlquist
President
Humanists of Rhode Island