Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5918
Sponsor: Rep. Barrow, John [D-GA-12]
Introduced: 2008-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Commerce
Employee health benefits
Federal advisory bodies
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Health insurance
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Self-employed
Small business
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: 
Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements. 

Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.

Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment.

Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan. 

Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.

Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.

Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Introduced in House