High-risk Health Care Coverage Program

The bill directs the commissioner of insurance to study methods of providing health care coverage to high-risk individuals and reducing health insurance premiums in the individual market, which study is to explore the feasibility of high-risk pools, reinsurance programs, or other high-risk programs and consider requirements under applicable federal law, potential financial impacts on consumers and businesses, potential funding mechanisms to ensure financial sustainability of a high-risk or reinsurance program, and necessary procedural requirements for seeking any required federal waivers or other authorization to implement and fund such programs. The commissioner is to submit a report on the study to the joint budget committee and other specified legislative committees by October 1, 2017, and present the report to specified legislative committees during SMART Act hearings prior to the 2018 legislative session. The commissioner is authorized to seek, accept, and expend public and private gifts, grants, and donations or any federal funding to defray the study costs. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)