SB 71-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/27/03 0936s
2003 SESSION
09/01
SENATE BILL 71-FN-A
AN ACT establishing a committee to study improving access, affordability, and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire consumers.
SPONSORS: Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Sen. Estabrook, Dist. 21
This bill establishes a committee to study improving access, affordability, and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire consumers.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/27/03 0936s
03-0486
09/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three
AN ACT establishing a committee to study improving access, affordability, and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire consumers.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study options for improving access, affordability, and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire's residents, particularly for the self-employed and New Hampshire's small business employers.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.
II. A representative from the insurance department and a representative from the department of health and human services shall provide advice to the committee, upon request of the committee chairperson.
III. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The committee shall study and review all health insurance options, including but not limited to:
I. A state-subsidized insurance plan.
II. Cost containment strategies, including the impact of product design changes on premium and medical costs.
III. A state-designed benefits package that provide tax credits, vouchers, or other financial assistance to offset premium costs.
IV. Pooling strategies among the 3 northern New England states, either to increase state purchasing power or to create a multi-state standardized health insurance benefit package.
V. Creating a purchasing alliance.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2003.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
LBAO
03-0486
Amended 3/28/03
SB 71 FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing a committee to study improving access, affordability, and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire consumers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant indicates this bill, as amended by the Senate (Senate Amendment #2003-0936s), will have no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill will have no fiscal impact; it establishes a committee to study improving access, affordability and alternatives in health insurance for New Hampshire consumers.