2017 -- S 1010

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LC002990

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTUFLLY REQUESTING THE SENATE A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO ASSESS

AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUES RELATING TO

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND CHOICE, COVERAGE AFFORDABILITY AND

QUALITY, AND MARKET STABILITY

     Introduced By: Senator Joshua Miller

     Date Introduced: June 30, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Affordable Care Act seeks to insure Americans, cut high health care

costs, reduce spending, and shift treatment towards prevention; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island must seek to ensure the protections provided by the

Affordable Care Act continue to apply even if changes occur at the Federal level such as:

     o coverage for the 10 Essential Health Benefits (EHBs), including preventive

services, prescription overage, maternity, hospitalization, and mental health

treatment

     o coverage of preventive services with no cost sharing

     o Allowing dependents up to age 26 to stay on parent’s plan.

     o No pre-existing condition exclusions are allowed.

     o Prohibiting annual limits/lifetime dollar caps on coverage for essential benefits.

     o Giving people clearer explanations of their benefits.

     o Insurers keeping their administrative costs in check (“medical loss ratio”).

     o No insurer discrimination against providers operating under state law

     o Guaranteed Issue and Renewal so cannot be denied a policy, even if sick.

     o Allows discounts for wellness programs.

     o Can only vary insurance premium rates based on age (not gender/ health)

     o Allows the state to apply for a waiver that would let sole proprietors purchase

insurance in the small group market instead of the individual market if it is determined that it

would result in lower rates in both markets while increasing choice.

     WHEREAS, The undetermined future of the Affordable Care Act threatens Rhode

Islanders from the loss of coverage and loss of essential benefits and therefore risking the

wellbeing of Rhode Island’s residents; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has been proactive in the past to combat premium increases

and, once again, Rhode Island must be proactive in promoting a level playing field for insurers

and consumers; and

     WHEREAS, Insurers in Rhode Island must continue to offer access to quality insurance

with benefits and coverage under parameters set forth by the Affordable Care Act, no matter the

changes set forth at the Federal level; and

     WHEREAS, There is a need for a legislative commission to assess and determine

measures, at the state level, that would protect Rhode Islanders and provide predictability to

insurers despite the undetermined future of the federal law; and now therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of twelve (12) members;

     (a) two (2) of whom shall be members of the Senate;

     (b) two (2) shall be representatives of a hospital;

     (c) one (1) shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Medical Society or

designee;

     (d) one (1) shall be a representative of an insurance company;

     (e) one (1) shall be the Health Insurance Commissioner; or designee;

     (f) one (1) shall be a mental health professional;

     (g) one (1) shall be the Executive Director of HealthSource RI, or designee;

     (h) one (1) shall be the Secretary of Executive office of health and human services;

     (i) two (2) shall be consumer advocates;

     RESOLVED, The purpose of the said commission shall be to examine and make

recommendations on the health insurance issues prevalent in Rhode Island relating to consumer

protection and choice, coverage affordability and quality, and market stability considering

elements such as

     (1) minimum standard coverage requirements for individuals and enforcement

provisions;

     (2) essential health care benefits;

     (3) rating rules;

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     (4) Medicaid eligibility/expansion;

     (5) The offering of public health insurance options;

     (6) Financial requirements and financing options including federal funding and/or

waivers to stabilize individual market premiums, including:

     a. Making recommendations on the best use of federal dollars, including funds earmarked

for high-risk pools;

     b. Making recommendations on a maximum ceiling for out-of-pocket expenses and using

available state and federal dollars to subsidize amounts exceeding the ceiling;

     c. Setting levels of premium subsidy assistance using available federal and state funds;

     d. Assessing options under the federal 1332 state innovation waiver and making

recommendations on any waiver applications, including the possibility of a waiver for regional

purchasing, efficiencies, and innovation; and

     (7) Assessing the impact of health insurance carriers offering plans as permitted by

federal law that do not meet the requirements of state law;

     (8) The commission may hold informational briefings and listening sessions to gather

input from the public on issues related to the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

     President of the Senate and the Chairperson on Health and Human Services on or before

March 1, 2018, and said commission shall expire on July 1, 2018.

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LC002990

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