Insurance has been a hot-button legislative issue this past year. Reacting to national efforts to change health care and health insurance, the states have implemented their own laws that are changing the face of standard healthcare. Many of these laws are increasing access to specific types of care. State health insurance laws are making it easier for individuals to receive care for mental health issues, women's health, and children.

In 2012, a number of states are requiring health insurance companies to provide more coverage for mental health concerns. Some of these laws were enacted in 2011, while others were newly adopted for 2012. The laws cover mental issues that range from behavioral concerns to developmental disorders. For example, as of 2011 and 2012, many states are now requiring state health insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. For example, Arkansas and Rhode Island have both implemented new legislation designed to cover autism spectrum disorders. In California, health insurance companies are now required to provide coverage for people seeking treatment to stop smoking.

In addition to mental health care, state healthcare insurances laws that will likely affect healthcare in 2012 include laws pertaining to women's health. A number of states have longstanding mandates that require health insurance companies to cover women's health issues, like reproductive health and screenings for cancers that typically affect women. However, new legislation in 2011 will additionally affect how women receive care in 2012. For example, Connecticut enacted a law requiring insurance companies to cover breast magnetic resonance imaging. Arkansas required that in-vitro fertilization be covered, while California signed laws covering maternity services.

Finally, a number of new state laws also cover child-only health insurance or mandate that health insurance companies provide services for children. In Arkansas, for example, a 2011 law requires health insurance companies to offer child-only plans. Colorado recently enacted legislation that requires health insurance companies to cover fetal alcohol syndrome.

Whether they were enacted in 2011 or are to be implemented in 2012, these new laws will affect standard healthcare in 2012. Because more state laws are requiring health insurance companies to cover a variety of maladies, health care or the health care services that people can afford are going to improve in 2012. As more and more legislation requires healthcare companies to cover ailments, more and more individuals who have these ailments are going to get affordable treatment. By knowing what new laws have been enacted that affect standard health care, insured people can check to make sure their insurance companies are acting within the law and are providing them with the level or services that are required by these new laws.