Helping Sick Americans Now Act

To amend Public Law 111–148 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Sick Americans Now Act 2. Prioritizing funding for sick Americans Section 4002(c) of Public Law 111–148 Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall transfer amounts that are in the Fund that are attributable to fiscal year 2013 that are not otherwise obligated as of the date of the enactment of this sentence and funds that would otherwise be made available to the Fund for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2015, and fiscal year 2016 to the account within the Department of Health and Human Services that provides for funding to carry out the temporary high risk health insurance pool program under section 1101 and such funds shall become available for obligation under such section on such date of enactment and remain so available through December 31, 2013. 3. Immediate access to health care for sick Americans (a) In general Section 1101(d) of Public Law 111–148 42 U.S.C. 18001(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end and (2) by striking paragraph (2); and (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to individuals applying for coverage through the high risk insurance pool program on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Sick Americans Now Act 2. Prioritizing funding for sick Americans Section 4002(c) of Public Law 111–148 42 U.S.C. 300u–11(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall transfer amounts that are in the Fund that are attributable to fiscal year 2013 that are not otherwise obligated as of the date of the enactment of this sentence and funds that would otherwise be made available to the Fund for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2015, and fiscal year 2016 to the account within the Department of Health and Human Services that provides for funding to carry out the temporary high risk health insurance pool program under section 1101 and such funds shall become available for obligation under such section on such date of enactment and remain so available through December 31, 2013. 3. Immediate access to health care for sick Americans (a) In general Section 1101(d) of Public Law 111–148 42 U.S.C. 18001(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end and (2) by striking paragraph (2); and (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to individuals applying for coverage through the high risk insurance pool program on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Ensuring an orderly reopening of the program for sick Americans Section 1101(b) of Public Law 111–148 (4) Orderly reopening of program The Secretary shall administer this section in accordance with the regulations under part 152 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect as of April 16, 2013, except as is necessary to reflect the amendments made by the Helping Sick Americans Now Act. . April 19, 2013 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Helping Sick Americans Now Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transfer from the Prevention and Public Health Fund any unobligated funds which are attributable to FY2013 and any funds that would otherwise be made available to the Fund for FY2014-FY2016 to a Department of Health and Human Services account to carry out the temporary high risk health insurance pool program (a program to provide health insurance coverage to eligible individuals with a preexisting condition). Requires such funds to be available for obligation on the date of enactment of this Act and to remain available through December 31, 2013. Eliminates the eligibility requirement for the temporary high risk pool which prohibits an individual from having creditable coverage (health coverage) for six months before applying for coverage through the pool. Requires the Secretary to administer the temporary high risk pool in accordance with current regulations governing the operation of the pool, except as necessary to reflect amendments made by this Act.