SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8409

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Health care reform legislation is being considered in Congress. The legislation touches on a wide range of areas within health care, including: insurance reforms; new purchasing exchanges for the individual and small group markets; development of new benefit standards; creation of new subsidies for premiums and cost-sharing; Medicaid program changes; Medicare program changes; a new national long-term care insurance program; demonstration projects on payment approaches with health homes, bundled payments, and accountable care organizations; a reinsurance program for employers offering retiree coverage; administrative simplification standards; comparative effectiveness research; wellness and preventive activities; nutritional labeling requirements; health workforce activities; grants for community health centers, school-based health centers, and nurse managed health centers; new tax credits and new tax assessments; etc.

The states will have a number of implementation responsibilities. The implementation timelines range, with some areas having near immediate effective dates while other areas are delayed for a number of years.

Summary of Bill: The Joint Select Committee on Health Reform Implementation is created as a legislative committee. The committee provides a public forum for accountability of the federal health reform implementation planning efforts, identification and resolution of critical policy issues necessary for implementation, and identification of emerging issues that need statutory changes.

The committee is co-chaired by the chairs of the House and Senate Health Committees, and leadership of each house appoints members from each caucus. The co-chairs may direct the formation of subcommittees to focus on specific topic areas and may invite additional expertise to advise the committee.

The committee expires by June 30, 2014.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The federal bills are sweeping and enormously complex. They include a number of issues that are critical for the states and much of the implementation work will be done by the states. It is critical that we are ready with a collaborative process that can help us respond quickly and efficiently. The joint select committee can provide an important venue for stakeholder input.