ST. PAUL — A House bill to mandate benefits for certain employer-sponsored insurance coverage for contraceptives is drawing the attention of many Minnesota legislators.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, at the Capitol Tuesday, expounds upon Congress’ 2010 federal overhaul of the nation’s health care system, and would require employer-sponsored health care plans to cover birth control at no co-pay.

“I think any time you are talking about insurance, insurance should be a sharing arrangement,” said Rep. Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea.

Murray wonders where the money is going to come from if employers or insurance companies must cover those costs.

Murphy, however, said her plan could be a benefit to many unfortunate women. She estimated that without insurance to pay for it, a woman might pay $1,210 a year for contraceptives and related doctor visits. Murphy also said her bill includes a religious exemption for faith-based organizations. People covered by those employer health plans would get access to contraceptives paid for by their insurance company, she said.

“Covering contraception without cost sharing smartly confronts cost as a barrier for Minnesota women accessing effective health care,” Murphy said during a news conference at the Capitol.

However, Murray alluded to the cost-sharing factor as the basis of insurance and a reason why the bill could be bad. He also cited reasons insurance companies could simply raise costs.

“If an insurance company has to eat (costs), where is the cost going to go?” Murray asked. “It’s coming out of something.”

While many legislators must take a closer look at the bill and break down potential numbers, Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, looks at the bill with some optimism.

“I think we have to find a balance between what is offered and what both employers and employees pay for health care,” Poppe said. “I certainly think we have health care costs that are exceptionally high.”

Poppe, Murray and others are hoping to find out more details about the bill.

— The Associated Press contributed to this story.