American Health Benefits Program Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2399
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2009-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Comprehensive health care
Computers and information technology
Congressional agencies
Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Income tax credits
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: 
American Health Benefits Program Act of 2009 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish under a new title XXII (American Health Benefits Program) a program to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Americans who are: (1) not covered under certain federal health insurance programs; and (2) not eligible for employer-provided insurance coverage. Requires provision of such coverage in a manner similar to that in which coverage has been provided to Members of Congress, federal government employees, retirees, and their dependents under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
 
Requires federal government contributions towards the coverage of eligible individuals.
 
Establishes in the Treasury an American Health Benefits Program Trust Fund.
 
Directs the Administrator of Health Benefits to establish a schedule of cost-sharing subsidies for lower-income individuals.
 
Establishes an independent Health Benefits Administration, headed by the Administrator. 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a premium on individuals enrolled in a qualified health plan under SSA title XXII, which shall be reduced by the amount of government contribution; (2) allow a tax credit to covered individuals equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of premiums paid (other than government contributions) with respect to the individual's coverage, and the applicable premium subsidy; (3) impose on every employer an excise tax equal to the applicable percentage of the wages paid employees; (4) allow a tax credit against such excise tax for periods during which an employee is covered by qualified employer-provided coverage; and (5) impose a tax on hospital revenues. 
 
Makes related amendments to SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP).
 
Directs the Administrator of Health Benefits to establish new guidelines that promote the proper use and understanding of health information technologies.
 
Establishes the Health Benefits Commission in the legislative branch to examine and make recommendations regarding the major issues and cost drivers affecting the delivery of healthcare services as it pertains to the American Health Benefits Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2009-05-13
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in House