Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB76

Introduced
1/9/23  
Refer
1/9/23  

Caption

Health Coverage Choice Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services rule dated August 3, 2018, regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. That rule increases the maximum authorized duration of such plans from less than 3 months (including renewals) to an initial maximum duration of less than 12 months (with a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals).

Impact

The passage of HB 76 is expected to significantly alter the landscape of health insurance offerings in the state, as it facilitates increased access to short-term health plans. Proponents argue that these plans offer individuals and families more flexibility in choosing their health coverage, allowing them to opt for less expensive options that may not meet all the standards set by more comprehensive insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill is positioned as a way to bolster consumer choice in the health insurance market.

Summary

House Bill 76, known as the Health Coverage Choice Act, aims to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act by providing a clear definition for short-term limited duration insurance. The bill proposes to increase the maximum authorized duration of such insurance plans from less than three months to an initial maximum of less than twelve months, with the possibility of extending the total duration to up to thirty-six months, including renewals. This expansion of the definition and duration aligns with regulatory changes made by the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services in 2018.

Contention

Despite its advocates, HB 76 faces criticism from various health advocates and insurance experts who caution that short-term limited duration insurance plans often provide inadequate coverage. Opponents argue that these plans can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for individuals when they seek care that exceeds the limited coverage of such insurance. Furthermore, critics stress that by promoting short-term plans, the bill could undermine the risk pool for comprehensive plans, potentially driving up costs for those who rely on full coverage. The discussions around the bill highlight a broader debate over the balance between flexibility in health insurance options and the necessity for comprehensive healthcare protections.

Companion Bills

US SB3932

Related bill Patient's Choice Act of 2024

US HB7677

Related bill Patient’s Choice Act of 2024

Previously Filed As

US HB90

Health Coverage Choice ActThis bill extends the maximum duration of short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. The bill increases the maximum authorized initial term of such plans to a period that is less than 12 months (with a total duration of no more than 36 months, including renewals).Current regulations limit the initial term to no more than three months and the maximum coverage duration to no more than four months, including renewals or extensions.

US HB379

Healthcare Freedom and Choice ActThis bill nullifies a rule regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. The rule was promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services; is titled Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage; and was published April 3, 2024.Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time and are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions).The rule limits the length of the initial contract period for such a plan to no more than three months and, taking into account any renewals or extensions, the maximum coverage period to no more than four months. The rule also includes within the maximum renewal period limitation a new plan sold by the same issuer, or any issuer that is a member of the same controlled group, to the same policyholder within a 12-month period.Regulations in effect prior to the rule this bill nullifies permitted short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans with an initial contract period of fewer than 12 months and a maximum coverage period of up to 36 months, including renewals and extensions.

US HJR129

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Departments of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services relating to "Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage".

US HB73

No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act This bill prohibits federal funding of the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force. The Department of Health and Human Services launched the task force on January 21, 2022, to identify and coordinate departmental activities related to accessing sexual and reproductive health care.

US SB62

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023 This bill modifies provisions relating to federal funding for, and health insurance coverage of, abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions. Such restrictions extend to the use of funds in the budget of the District of Columbia. Additionally, abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. Historically, language has been included in annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions—such language is commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment. Similar language is also frequently included in appropriations bills for other federal agencies and the District of Columbia. The bill makes these restrictions permanent and extends the restrictions to all federal funds (rather than specific agencies). The bill's restrictions regarding the use of federal funds do not apply in cases of rape, incest, or where a physical disorder, injury, or illness endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The Hyde Amendment provides the same exceptions. The bill also prohibits qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.

US HB4816

To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to permit enrollees to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives.

US HB5894

Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2024 Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2024 Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2024

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

US HB405

Essential Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a pilot program to test the effectiveness of acquiring, maintaining, managing, and distributing a stockpile of generic drugs at risk of shortage. To carry out the pilot program, HHS must enter into contracts for a term of up to three years with drug manufacturers, co-op or chain pharmacy warehouses, or other eligible entities to create a six-month stockpile of up to 50 types of such drugs. The bill establishes various program requirements, including annual evaluations by the Government Accountability Office.

US HB286

Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health care providers for security services and other expenses related to physical security and cybersecurity.

Similar Bills

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