Brief Description: Determining community rates for health benefit plans.

Sponsors: By Representatives Clibborn, Hinkle, Curtis, B. Sullivan, Cody, Moeller, P. Sullivan, Kenney, Kilmer and Jarrett.

House Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Many part-time workers lack health insurance. Workers who work for multiple employers have difficulty obtaining employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. Employers of part-time employees are not required to provide health insurance coverage.

Summary:

Health benefit plans may be offered to individuals who are part of a purchasing pool consisting of 500 people in the same industry. The plans will allow contributions from more than one employer and will have premiums calculated using an adjusted community rating method that spreads financial risk across the entire purchasing pool the individual belongs to. This act will not be implemented until a federal opinion is received by the Insurance Commissioner that the provisions of this act comply with federal law.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   98   0
Senate   44   0   (Senate amended)
House   95   0   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006