S2019

	2018 -- S 2019
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	LC003679
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HEALTH
	BENEFIT EXCHANGE

	Introduced By: Senator Roger Picard
	Date Introduced: January 11, 2018
	Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services
	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 allowing businesses classified as self-employed and sole
14	proprietors to purchase insurance in the small group market through the Health Source RI for
15	Employers SHOP program and not be forced into the individual market.
16	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC003679
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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 and not be forced into the individual
4	market.
5	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC003679
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	LC003679 - Page 2 of 2