HB 1702 - DIGEST

Declares an intent to: (1) Expand access to health care by increasing the number of large employers who provide health benefits to their employees and imposing a fee on large employers who do not offer such benefits. Fee revenues will be used to fund basic health plan coverage for as many employees of employers paying the fee as the fee revenues can support. However, consistent with this act, large employers can reduce or eliminate their fee through expenditures on health services for their employees;

(2) Maintain existing protections in law for persons eligible for medical assistance programs, the state children's health insurance program, and the basic health plan.

Declares it is not the intent to influence the content or administration of employee benefit plans, and the legislature is neutral as to whether large employers choose to pay the tax or provide health services to their employees and dependents.