State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-4519
Sponsor: Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2005-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Authorization
Case management
Coinsurance
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government insurance
Grants-in-aid
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Losses
Medically uninsured
Standards
Subsidies

Summary:
action_date: 2005-12-13
text: 
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for grants to states for the creation and initial operation of a qualified high risk pool.
 
Amends provision requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states with existing qualified high risk pools to cover the state's losses to: (1) increase the maximum allowable premium charged under a qualified high risk pool to 200% of the premium for applicable standard risk rates; (2) allow such grants to be made to entities that operate such a pool under applicable state law; and (3) change the allocation of such grants to give 40% to eligible states equally, 30% based on the number of uninsured individuals in the state, and 30% based on the number of enrollees in a state's qualified high risk pool. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the state.)
 
Requires a state which charges premiums that exceed 150% of the premium for applicable standard risks to use at least 50% of the grant amount to reduce premiums for enrollees. 
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to states with qualified high risk pools for the provision of supplemental consumer benefits, including: (1) low-income premium subsidies; (2) a reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements; and/or (3) an expansion or broadening of the pool of individuals eligible for coverage.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;qualified high risk pool&quot; to allow a state to elect to meet the requirement to provide all eligible individuals with health insurance coverage by utilizing an acceptable alternative mechanism that includes a high risk pool as a component.

action_date: 2005-12-17
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for grants to each state that has not created a qualified high risk pool for the state's cost to create and initially operate such a pool.
 
Increases the maximum allowable premium charged under a qualified high risk pool to 200% of the premium for applicable standard risk rates. Defines &quot;standard risk rate&quot; as a rate that: (1) is determined under the state high risk pool by considering the premiums charged by other health insurers in the same market; (2) is established using reasonable actuarial techniques; and (3) reflects anticipated claims experience and expenses.
 
Permits grants awarded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to states with existing qualified high risk pools to cover operating losses to be made to entities that operate such a pool under applicable state law. Changes the allocation of such grants to give 40% to eligible states equally, 30% based on the number of uninsured individuals in a state relative to all states, and 30% based on the number of enrollees in a state's qualified high risk pool relative to all states. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the state.)
 
 Requires a state which charges premiums that exceed 150% of the premium for applicable standard risks to use at least 50% of the grant amount to reduce premiums for enrollees. 
 
Limits the maximum grant amount allotted to territories.
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to states with qualified high risk pools for the provision of supplemental consumer benefits, which must include one or more of the following: (1) low-income premium subsidies; (2) a reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements; (3) an expansion or broadening of the pool of individuals eligible for coverage; (4) less stringent rules or additional waiver authority with respect to coverage of preexisting conditions; (5) increased benefits; or (6) establishment of disease management programs. Limits to 10% of appropriated funds the amount that any state may be allotted.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;qualified high risk pool&quot; to allow a state to elect to meet the requirement to provide all eligible individuals with health insurance coverage by utilizing an acceptable alternative mechanism that includes a high risk pool as a component.

action_date: 2006-02-01
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here, with an updated short title.)

 
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for grants to each state that has not created a qualified high risk pool for the state's cost to create and initially operate such a pool.
 
Increases the maximum allowable premium charged under a qualified high risk pool to 200% of the premium for applicable standard risk rates. Defines &quot;standard risk rate&quot; as a rate that: (1) is determined under the state high risk pool by considering the premiums charged by other health insurers in the same market; (2) is established using reasonable actuarial techniques; and (3) reflects anticipated claims experience and expenses.
 
Permits grants awarded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to states with existing qualified high risk pools to cover operating losses to be made to entities that operate such a pool under applicable state law. Changes the allocation of such grants to give 40% to eligible states equally, 30% based on the number of uninsured individuals in a state relative to all states, and 30% based on the number of enrollees in a state's qualified high risk pool relative to all states. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the state.)
 
 Requires a state which charges premiums that exceed 150% of the premium for applicable standard risks to use at least 50% of the grant amount to reduce premiums for enrollees. 
 
Limits the maximum grant amount allotted to territories.
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to states with qualified high risk pools for the provision of supplemental consumer benefits, which must include one or more of the following: (1) low-income premium subsidies; (2) a reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements; (3) an expansion or broadening of the pool of individuals eligible for coverage; (4) less stringent rules or additional waiver authority with respect to coverage of preexisting conditions; (5) increased benefits; or (6) establishment of disease management programs. Limits to 10% of appropriated funds the amount that any state may be allotted.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;qualified high risk pool&quot; to allow a state to elect to meet the requirement to provide all eligible individuals with health insurance coverage by utilizing an acceptable alternative mechanism that includes a high risk pool as a component.

action_date: 2006-02-10
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here, with an updated short title.)

 
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for grants to each state that has not created a qualified high risk pool for the state's cost to create and initially operate such a pool.
 
Increases the maximum allowable premium charged under a qualified high risk pool to 200% of the premium for applicable standard risk rates. Defines &quot;standard risk rate&quot; as a rate that: (1) is determined under the state high risk pool by considering the premiums charged by other health insurers in the same market; (2) is established using reasonable actuarial techniques; and (3) reflects anticipated claims experience and expenses.
 
Permits grants awarded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to states with existing qualified high risk pools to cover losses incurred by a state in connection with the operation of such a pool to be made to entities that operate such a pool under applicable state law. Changes the allocation of such grants to give 40% to eligible states equally, 30% based on the number of uninsured individuals in a state relative to all states, and 30% based on the number of enrollees in a state's qualified high risk pool relative to all states. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the state.)
 
 Requires a state which charges premiums that exceed 150% of the premium for applicable standard risks to use at least 50% of the grant amount to reduce premiums for enrollees. 
 
Limits the maximum grant amount allotted to territories.
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to states with qualified high risk pools for the provision of supplemental consumer benefits, which must include one or more of the following benefits: (1) low-income premium subsidies; (2) a reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements; (3) an expansion or broadening of the pool of individuals eligible for coverage; (4) less stringent rules or additional waiver authority with respect to coverage of preexisting conditions; (5) increased benefits; or (6) establishment of disease management programs. Limits to 10% of appropriated funds the amount that any state may be allotted.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;qualified high risk pool&quot; to allow a state to elect to meet the requirement to provide all eligible individuals with health insurance coverage by utilizing an acceptable alternative mechanism that includes a high risk pool as a component.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-02-10
text: Became Public Law No: 109-172.
action_date: 2006-02-10
text: Became Public Law No: 109-172.
action_date: 2006-02-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-02-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-02-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-02-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-02-02
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2006-02-01
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2006-02-01
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2006-02-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2006-02-01
text: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S460)
action_date: 2006-02-01
text: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S460)
action_date: 2006-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2006-01-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H12072-12073)
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H12072-12073)
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4519.
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12072-12075)
action_date: 2005-12-17
text: Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2005-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2005-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-12-13
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 109-172