FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1042

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.

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Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Eliminating the office of the insurance commissioner's school district or educational service district annual report.

Sponsors: Representatives Springer, Harris, Jinkins, Fitzgibbon, Tharinger and Sawyer; by request of Insurance Commissioner.

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

Since 2012 school districts and their health insurance benefit providers have been reviewed to annually submit data to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner) regarding progress toward greater affordability for full family coverage, health care cost savings, reduced administrative costs, and compliance with the requirement to provide a high-deductible health plan option with a health savings account. The school districts and their providers must also submit an overall plan summary.

In addition, the school districts and their providers must jointly report to the Commissioner on their health insurance-related efforts and achievements to significantly reduce administrative costs for the districts, improve customer service, and protect access to coverage for part-time K-12 employees, among other things. The information provided by the school districts and the benefit providers is exempt from public inspection and copying.

The Commissioner must submit an annual report to the Governor, the Health Care Authority, and the Legislature regarding school district health insurance benefits, based upon the data and reports received from the districts and their benefit providers. From 2013 through 2016, the Commissioner has completed and submitted the required reports. The most recent report was submitted in November 2016, and according to the Commissioner, 100 percent of the districts and their benefit providers had submitted the required information.

Summary:

The requirement that the Commissioner provide an annual report regarding school district health insurance benefits is removed. The statutory provisions under which the school districts and the benefit providers must submit data regarding health care benefits and reports to the Commissioner are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

Regular Session

House

50

47

Third Special Session

House

94

0

Senate

49

0

Effective:

October 19, 2017