US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal 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 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 SB607

relative to short-term, limited duration health insurance policies

US HB202

States' Education Reclamation Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Department of Education (ED) and repeals any program for which it has administrative responsibility. The Department of the Treasury shall provide grants to states, for FY2023-FY2031, for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education purposes permitted by state law. The level of funding is set at the amount provided to states for federal elementary and secondary education programs and the amount provided for federal postsecondary education programs, respectively, for FY2023, minus the funding provided for education programs that the bill transfers to other federal agencies. States must contract for an annual audit of their expenditures or transfers of grant funds. Program administrative responsibility and delegation of authority are transferred as follows: ED's job training programs to the Department of Labor, each special education grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ED's Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior, each Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the Department of Defense, the Federal Pell Grant program and each federal student loan program to Treasury, and programs under the jurisdiction of the Institute of Education Sciences or the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to HHS.

US HB55

Preventing Vigilante Stalking that Stops Women's Access to Healthcare and Abortion Rights Act of 2022 This bill increases the maximum prison term for a stalking offense, if the offense is committed with the intent to obtain an individual's health care information or prevent an individual's health care decisions.

US A08700

Amends the definition of "health care personnel" to define the term "temporary services" as health care services contracted for an initial term of less than twenty-four continuous months; requires a temporary health care services agency to annually submit to the department of health copies of all contracts between the agency and a health care entity to which it assigns or refers health care personnel.

US S05150

Amends the definition of "health care personnel" to define the term "temporary services" as health care services contracted for an initial term of less than twenty-four continuous months; requires a temporary health care services agency to annually submit to the department of health copies of all contracts between the agency and a health care entity to which it assigns or refers health care personnel.

US SB474

Enacting the Kansas short-term, limited duration insurance act; establishing definitions, disclosure, premiums, renewal and underwriting requirements relating thereto and authorizing the commissioner of insurance to adopt rules and regulations to implement and oversee the act.

US HB7

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 HB357

Relative to the department of health and human services' rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements.

US SB325

Authorizing Department of Health to promulgate legislative rules

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.