Connecticut Senate Bill SB00372

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/18
• Refer: 3/1/18

Caption

An Act Requiring Prior Legislative Approval Of Increases In Assessments And User Fees Charged By The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will significantly impact the operational framework of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, requiring it to submit any proposals for fee increases or modifications to the legislative committee. As a result, it will limit the exchange's ability to independently adjust fees, ensuring greater accountability to lawmakers. This increased scrutiny is expected to affect how health insurance services are provided in the state, potentially leading to more equitable assessments on health carriers operating within the exchange.

Summary

SB00372 is a legislative proposal aimed at transforming the way the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange can manage its financial assessments and fees. The bill mandates that any increase in the assessments or user fees charged to health carriers, as well as any alterations in the methodologies for calculating these fees, must first receive approval from the relevant joint standing committee of the General Assembly. This change is designed to enhance oversight and ensure that any financial adjustments made by the exchange are justified and transparent.

Contention

While supporters argue that SB00372 will foster transparency and protect consumers from arbitrary fee hikes, opponents may view it as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle that could impede the exchange's flexibility to respond to changing market conditions. Critics may also raise concerns that it could delay the implementation of necessary funding adjustments that would enable the exchange to maintain efficient operations and continue to reduce the uninsured rate within Connecticut. The debates around the bill reflect a broader discussion about the balance between regulatory oversight and operational agility in government bodies.