Health care affordability assistance: cost sharing.

Existing federal law, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) , enacts various health care coverage market reforms that took effect January 1, 2014. Among other things, PPACA required each state to establish an American Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans by qualified individuals and qualified small employers. Existing state law establishes the California Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Covered California, within state government. Existing law specifies the powers and duties of the board governing Covered California, and requires the board to facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans by qualified individuals and qualified small employers. Existing law establishes the California Health Trust Fund and continuously appropriates moneys in the fund for these purposes. This bill would require the board to offer additional cost sharing financial assistance to those who are otherwise eligible for premium tax credits and who have incomes determined to be below 400% of the federal poverty level, as specified. By requiring the board to offer this additional assistance, this bill would make an appropriation.