Texas Senate Bill SB107

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08

Caption

Relating to the creation of the Texas Health Benefit Plan Security Program.

Impact

A notable feature of SB107 is the sliding-scale subsidies for insurance purchases targeting individuals with incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level who do not qualify for Medicaid. This subsidy framework is aimed explicitly at helping lower-income residents afford health insurance coverage. Additionally, the creation of a high-risk pool for enrollees who face significant health challenges is a vital component of the bill, aiming to ensure that those with higher health care costs can access necessary coverage without prohibitive expenses.

Summary

SB107 establishes the Texas Health Benefit Plan Security Program, designed to provide comprehensive and affordable health care coverage to eligible individuals and employees of small employers in Texas. The program aims to offer health benefit plans through participation from various health benefit plan issuers while adhering to state insurance laws. One of the significant goals is to enhance access to health care services for those who might otherwise struggle to afford insurance coverage due to economic constraints or pre-existing conditions.

Contention

The discussions surrounding SB107 indicated various points of contention, particularly regarding who would qualify for the health benefits and how the subsidies might affect small employers. There are concerns that without adequate funding, the subsidies may be limited, potentially leaving some eligible individuals without sufficient support. Critics also emphasize the need for clear regulations on how health benefit plan issuers manage risks associated with high-cost patients, ensuring that no group is unfairly burdened or denied coverage based on medical history.