AR HB1074

Amends Arkansas Code § 20-15-302 to add spinal muscular atrophy to the list of conditions for which all newborn infants must be tested, alongside phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, galactosemia, cystic fibrosis, and sickle-cell anemia.

Requires all health benefit plans offered, issued, or renewed in Arkansas to provide coverage for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy by a healthcare professional on or after January 1, 2020.

Coverage for newborn screening is not subject to policy deductibles or copayment requirements and does not diminish or limit other benefits under a health benefit plan.

Applies to individual, group, and blanket health plans; state and federally-funded programs including Arkansas Medicaid, the Private Option, and Arkansas Works Program; and nonfederal governmental plans.

Defines "newborn" as a child 29 days of age or younger and "spinal muscular atrophy" as a genetic disease affecting the nervous system's control of voluntary muscle movement.