H6033

	2017 -- H 6033
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	LC002326
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HEALTH
	BENEFIT EXCHANGE

	Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Serpa, McKiernan, Phillips, and Casimiro
	Date Introduced: March 30, 2017
	Referred To: House Corporations
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Chapter 42-157 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Health Benefit
2	Exchange" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3	42-157-5.1. Small business health options program (SHOP) innovation waiver.
4	(a) As small business owners and sole proprietors are the life blood of this state's
5	economy, a recent change in the Federal Affordable Care Act effective on January 1, 2016, has
6	caused irreparable harm to the economic well-being of small business owners and sole proprietors
7	by requiring them to secure health insurance coverage on the individual market as opposed to
8	securing health insurance coverage on the small group market.
9	(b) In an effort to reduce and/or eliminate the irreparable economic harm, the director of
10	the department of administration, with assistance from the commissioner of health insurance,
11	shall seek a waiver under Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L.
12	No. 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L.
13	No. 111-152, for the purpose of waiving the federal requirement to establish an Internet-based
14	small business health options program (SHOP) and permitting qualified employers to purchase
15	qualified health benefit plans offered by the Rhode Island health benefit exchange directly from a
16	registered carrier.

1	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC002326
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HEALTH
	BENEFIT EXCHANGE
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1	This act would authorize the Rhode Island health benefit exchange to seek a waiver under
2	the Affordable Care Act to allow qualified small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase
3	qualified health benefit plans offered by the exchange directly from a registered carrier.
4	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC002326
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