Morocco amends health coverage law to allow mothers to register children

A recent amendment to Morocco’s Basic Health Coverage Code has granted insured mothers the right to register their children for health insurance, provided both parents agree, according to the latest issue of the Official Gazette.

The revision to Article 6 of Law 65.00 states that when both parents are insured separately under the law, children may be registered with either the father’s or the mother’s insurance provider, based on a mutual agreement.

Women’s rights groups hailed the change as a step toward greater equality within the family and an end to the difficulties working mothers face when trying to register their children for health coverage. They described the reform as a legal and social gain that aligns with Morocco’s constitutional principles and international commitments.

“This is a positive measure that protects children’s right to health coverage by allowing parents to choose,” said Bouchra Abdo, director of the Challenge Association for Equality and Citizenship. However, she noted that requiring spousal consent leaves gaps in protection. “Lawmakers should have eliminated the condition of mutual agreement to ensure stronger safeguards for children’s rights,” she told Hespress.

Abdo added that in cases of divorce, children should automatically be allowed to register under their mother’s insurance without needing the father’s approval.

The amendment originated from a draft law approved by the House of Councillors in November 2020, later sent to the House of Representatives for a second reading and adoption in April 2025. Lawmakers on the Social Affairs Committee said the measure prioritizes the best interests of children by ensuring they benefit from whichever parent’s insurance offers better coverage.

Some committee members raised concerns about how divorce might affect the implementation of the law, though others argued the issue was outside the scope of the amendment.