The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), passed in March 2010, required states to establish health insurance exchanges (Exchange) by January 1, 2014, to facilitate the purchase of individual insurance and small employer group insurance, and provide access to premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for individuals with family incomes between 133 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL).  Individuals with income below 133 percent have access to expanded Medicaid programs.  Federal subsidies for individuals are only available through the Exchange, or through a federal basic health option in states that chose to have this option available for individuals with family income between 133 percent and 200 percent of the FPL.

The Washington State Health Benefit Exchange is a public-private partnership intended to:

• increase access to quality affordable health care coverage, reduce the number of uninsured persons in Washington State, and increase the availability of health care coverage through the private health insurance market to qualified individuals and small employers;
• provide consumer choice and portability of health insurance, regardless of employment status;
• create an organized, transparent, and accountable health insurance marketplace for Washingtonians to purchase affordable, quality health care coverage, to claim available federal refundable premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies, and to meet the personal responsibility requirements for minimum essential coverage as provided under the federal affordable care act;
• promote consumer literacy and empower consumers to compare plans and make informed decisions about their health care and coverage;
• effectively and efficiently administer health care subsidies and determination of eligibility for participation in publicly subsidized health care programs, including the exchange;
• create a health insurance market that competes on the basis of price, quality, service, and other innovative efforts;
• operate in a manner compatible with efforts to improve quality, contain costs, and promote innovation;
• recognize the need for a private health insurance market to exist outside of the Exchange; and
• recognize that the regulation of the health insurance market, both inside and outside the Exchange, should continue to be performed by the insurance commissioner.

The Exchange is required to be self-sustaining.  This means it is capable of operating with revenue attributable to the operations of the Exchange.  Self-sustaining sources of revenue include, but are not limited to federal grants, federal premium tax subsidies and credits, charges to health carriers, premiums paid by enrollees, and premium taxes.

Almost all businesses located or doing business in Washington are subject to the state business and occupation (B&O) tax.  The B&O tax is imposed on the gross receipts of business activities conducted within the state.  Revenues are deposited in the state general fund.  The classification and rate of the B&O tax is based on the type of business activity.  There are many exemptions for specific types of business activities, and certain deductions and credits are permitted under the B&O tax statutes.  The B&O tax does not apply to any health maintenance organization, health care service contractor, or certified health plan in respect to premiums taxable under the 2 percent premium tax.

In 2013, the Exchange was exempted from B&O tax with a sunset date of July 1, 2023.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee reviewed this tax preference in July 2021, and recommended the preference be extended or the preference be made permanent.

This bill removes the sunset date of July 1, 2023.