Source: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/state-wellness-legislation.aspx
Timestamp: 2013-05-24 18:29:43
Document Index: 425088305

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 21', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 22', '§ 15', '§ 31', '§ 628', '§ 10', '§ 38', '§ 48', '§ 13', '§ 531', '§ 356', '§ 41', '§ 48', '§ 531']

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State Wellness Legislation, 2006-2010
Sample Appropriations Bills
Other NCSL Wellness Resources
Wellness Legislation - 2010: Summary of 2010 proposed and enacted wellness legislation
Wellness Overview: Overview of wellness resources, including those of NCSL and other organizations
School Wellness Policies - 2009: Summary of 2009 childhood obesity legislative policy options, including enacted legislation
School Wellness Policies- 2008: Summary of 2008 childhood obesity legislative policy options, including enacted legislation
School Wellness Policies- 2007: Summary of 2007 childhood obesity legislative policy options, including enacted legislation
School Wellness Policies- 2006: Summary of 2006 childhood obesity legislative policy options, including enacted legislation
School Wellness Policies- 2005: Summary of 2005 childhood obesity legislative policy options, including enacted legislation
Alaska Code § 21.36.110 (2009, enacted, AK HB 175): Exempts rewards under a wellness program as insurance discrimination or rebating. The wellness program must meet the following requirements: a) the wellness program is reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease; b) an individual has an opportunity to qualify for the reward at least once a year; c) the reward is available for all similarly situated individuals; d) the wellness program has alternative standards for individuals who are unable to obtain the reward because of a health factor; e) alternative standards are available for an individual who is unable to participate in a reward program because of a health condition; f) the insurer provides information explaining the standard for achieving the reward and discloses the alternative standards; and g) the total rewards for all wellness programs under the health insurance policy do not exceed 20 percent of the cost of coverage.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-16-136 (2009, enacted, CO HB 1012): Authorizes carriers providing individual and group health coverage plans in this state to offer incentives for covered persons and groups to participate in wellness and prevention programs. This law permits those incentives to include premium discounts or rebates; modifications to co-payment, deductible, co-insurance amounts or a combination of those incentives. It allows carriers to determine the types of programs and incentives to offer.
Colorado Revised Statues § 10-16-136 (2010, enacted, CO HB 1160): Current law allows health insurance carriers offering individual health coverage plans and small group plans and the board of directors of the CoverColorado program or carriers providing health benefit plans to CoverColorado participants to offer incentives or rewards to encourage persons covered under the plans to participate in a wellness and prevention program. The bill repeals the restriction on incentives based on outcomes and allow carriers to base the incentives or rewards on satisfaction of a standard related to a health factor if the incentive or reward under the wellness and prevention program was consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements of the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996".
Georgia Act No. 462 (2008, enacted, GA SB 383): Among other provisions, declares that insurers that include and operate wellness and health promotion programs, disease and condition management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in their high deductible health policies in keeping with federal requirements shall not be considered to be engaging in unfair trade practices with respect to the practices of illegal inducements, unfair discrimination, and rebating.
Georgia Act No. 463 (2008, enacted, GA HB 977): Provides for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.
Georgia Act No. 548 (2010, enacted, GA SB 411): Provides exemptions from unfair trade practices when an insurer provides incentives, merchandise, gift cards, debit cards, premium discounts, rebates, contributions towards a health savings account and/or copayment modification to reward insureds for participation in wellness programs.
Indiana Public Law 136 (2006, enacted, IN HB 1420): Allows an employer to implement financial incentives related to employer provided health benefits in order to reduce employee tobacco use. Effective July 1, 2006.
Louisiana Revised Statutes § 22:1016 (2010, enacted LA HB 821): Authorizes a health insurance issuer to offer a voluntary wellness or health improvement program that allows for rewards or incentives including but not limited to merchandise, gift cards, debit cards, premium discounts or rebates, contributions toward a member's health savings account, modifications to copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance amounts, or any combination of these incentives to encourage participation or to reward participation in the program.
Maryland Chapter No. 591(2007, enacted, MD HB 157): Provides that it is not discrimination or a rebate under specified insurance laws for an insurer, nonprofit health service plan, health maintenance organization, or dental plan organization to provide reasonable incentives to an individual who is an insured, subscriber, or member for participation in a bona fide wellness program offered by the insurer, nonprofit health service plan, health maintenance organization, or dental plan organization under specified circumstances.
Maryland Annotated Code § 15-509 (2009, enacted, MD HB 610 and MD SB 638): Authorizes an insurer, a nonprofit health service plan, a health maintenance organization, or a dental plan organization to provide incentives for participation in a wellness program. The insurer can offer a premium discount as an incentive for participating in a wellness program. This law authorizes a carrier to condition an incentive on an individual satisfying a health factor standard. It defines a wellness program as one which is reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease.
Michigan Public Act No. 413 (2006, enacted, MI SB 849): Requires health care corporations to offer non-group wellness coverage with a premium rebate if an individual or family enroll and maintain participation in wellness programs.
New York Chapter 592 (2008, enacted, NY AB 10884): Would allow an insurer licensed to write accident and health insurance, a health maintenance organization and a municipal cooperative health benefits plan to establish a wellness program in conjunction with its issuance of a group accident and health insurance policy or group subscriber contract. Would define wellness program as a program designed to promote health and prevent disease that may contain rewards and incentives for participation. Would require that participation in the wellness program be available to similarly-situated members of the group and be voluntary on the part of the member. Would allow a wellness program to use rewards and incentives for participation provided that the group health insurance policy or subscriber contact is required to be community-rated, the rewards and incentives may not include a discounted premium rate or a rebate or refund of premium. A reward or incentive which involves a discounted premium rate or a rebate or refund of premium would be based on actuarial demonstration that the wellness program can reasonably be expected to result in the overall good health and well being of the group.
TX HB 2252 (2007, enacted): Allows an insurer issuing an accident and health insurance policy to establish premium discounts, rebates,or a reduction in otherwise applicable copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, or any combination of these incentives, for an insured who participates in programs promoting disease prevention, wellness, and health; provides that such discount will not violate existing law.
Utah Code Annotated § 31A-22-724 (2009, enacted, UT HB 188): Creates the Utah NetCare Plan as a COBRA alternative for health insurance. Allows the Utah NetCare Plan to offer incentives for individuals participating in a wellness program, including premium discounts.
Wisconsin Statute § 628.34 (13) (2010, enacted, WI AB 699): Allows an insurer to advertise, market, offer, or operate a wellness program without violating an unfair trade or marketing practice; provides that if a wellness program contains no conditions for obtaining a reward based on an individual satisfying a health related standard, the wellness program is exempt from unfair trade or marketing practice laws and a wellness program that is based on satisfying such standards is exempt if it satisfies specified requirements.
Alabama Public Act No. 2008-80 (2008, enacted, AL HB 396): Relates to the State Retirement System. Among other provisions concerning the State Employees' Insurance Board, provides that under the State Employees' Health Insurance plan with respect to each class of employees or retirees individual premiums may include adjustments and surchargers for a) family size including, but not limited to, a husband and wife both being covered by the State Employees' Health Insurance plan; b) smokers and users of tobacco products; c) preventative care and wellness care participation; and d) any such other categories of risk that the board shall approve.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-16-136 (2009, enacted, CO HB 1012): Authorizes carriers providing individual and group health coverage plans to offer incentives for covered persons and groups to participate in wellness and prevention programs. This law permits those incentives to include premium discounts or rebates; modifications to co-payment, deductible, co-insurance amounts or a combination of those incentives. It allows carriers to determine the types of programs and incentives to offer. IA
Iowa Chapter No. 2007-57 (2007, enacted, IA HF 790): Allows certain association group health care plans and wellness initiatives. Provides that a small employer insurance carrier may offer to transfer a small employer into a different class of business with a lower index rate based upon claims experience, implementation of managed care or wellness programs, or health status improvement of the small employer since issue. In order to encourage voluntary participation in wellness or disease management programs, allows a small employer carrier to offer premium credits or discounts to a small employer for the benefit of eligible employees of that small employer who participate in such a program. Stipulates that an employee shall not be penalized in any way for not participating in such a program.
Iowa Chapter No. 2008-1188 (2008, enacted, IA HF 2539): The department shall recommend a reimbursement methodology and incentives for participation in the medical home system to ensure that providers enter and remain participating in the system. In developing the recommendations for incentives, the department shall consider, at a minimum, providing incentives to promote wellness, prevention, chronic care management, immunizations, health care management, and the use of electronic health records. In developing the recommendations for the reimbursement system, the department shall analyze, at a minimum, the feasibility of all of the following: a)reimbursement under the medical assistance program to promote wellness and prevention, provide care coordination, and provide chronic care management; and b) increasing reimbursement to Medicare levels for certain wellness and prevention services, chronic care management, and immunizations.
Maryland Chapter No. 600 (2007, enacted, MD HB 339): Alters a specified limit on the rate a carrier may charge based on adjustments to the community rate for specified health benefit plans offered in the small group market; authorizes a carrier to offer a discount to a small employer for participation in a wellness program.
Michigan Chapter No. 412(2006, enacted, MI SB 848): Requires insurers providing group expense-incurred hospital, medical or surgical certificates and HMOs offering group wellness coverage to rebate premiums if a majority of employees enroll and maintain participation in wellness programs.
New Hampshire Chapter No. 56 (2008, enacted, NH SB 540): This bill establishes New Hampshire HealthFirst, an affordable, wellness-based health insurance plan for small employers. The purpose is to promote the availability of more affordable health coverage in the small employer market by engaging consumers, health care providers, insurers, and small employers to address the underlying costs of health care through better care management and more efficient utilization of health care services without increasing overall cost sharing requirements or reducing coverage for services essential to health and wellness. If a health carrier offers coverage in the small employer market in this state and had at least 1,000 covered lives in this market at the end of the prior calendar year, such carrier shall be required to offer the standard wellness plan to small employers on a guaranteed issue basis to all small employers in the state. The commissioner shall ensure that the standard wellness plan creates incentives for consumers, health care providers, employers, and/or health carriers to: (a) Promote wellness; (b) Promote primary care, preventive care, and a medical home model; (c) Manage and coordinate care for persons with chronic health conditions or acute illness; (d) Promote the use of cost effective care; (e) Promote quality of care by the use of evidence-based, best practice standards and patient-centered care. To the extent practicable, health carriers shall be permitted to utilize existing programs to meet the requirements for the standard wellness plan. Between plan revisions, carriers may request rate adjustments with appropriate supporting documentation. However, the commissioner shall not grant any rate adjustment in excess of the carrier's overall small group trend.
Oregon Chapter No. 389 (2007, enacted, OR HB 2002): Authorizes the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to consider profitability and investment income in approving premium rates of insurer. Changes definition of 'small employer' by increasing maximum number of employees from 25 to 50. Limits increases in premium rates due to this change to 10 percent per year.
Virginia Code § 38.2-3540.2 (2010, enacted, VA HB 548): Each group accident and sickness insurance policy and health care plan may provide a premium discount to every employer instituting and maintaining an employee wellness program satisfying such criteria as each insurer may establish. An employer instituting and maintaining an employee wellness program in accordance with the insurer's criteria may require that any employee wishing to enroll in such program undergo a health assessment as a condition of enrollment.
Washington Chapter No. 257 (2007, enacted, WA SB 5930): An act relating to providing high quality, affordable health care to Washingtonians based on the recommendations of the blue ribbon commission on health care costs and access. Defines "Adjusted community rate" as "the rating method used to establish the premium for health plans adjusted to reflect actuarially demonstrated differences in utilization or cost attributable to geographic region, age, family size, and use of wellness activities." Defines "Wellness activity" as an explicit program or an activity consistent with department of health guidelines, such as, smoking cessation, injury and accident prevention, reduction of alcohol misuse, appropriate weight reduction, exercise, automobile and motorcycle safety, blood cholesterol reduction, and nutrition education for the purpose of improving enrollee health status and reducing health service costs." Would authorize the state to establish and maintain a state employee health program focused on reducing the health risks and improving the health status of state employees, dependents, and retirees enrolled in the public employees' benefits board.
Revised Code of Washington § 48.30.140 (2009, enacted, WA HB 2160 and SB 5998): Allows health carrier payment of wellness incentives. The law exempts employee wellness programs from a general prohibition on rebates by insurers, including health carrier and disability insurers.
Arizona Executive order 2008-18 (2008): Continues the Governor’s Commission on the Health Status of Women and Families in Arizona as the “Governor’s Commission on Women’s and Children’s Health” (amending and superseding Executive Order 2000-17). The Commission will bring together an array of health stakeholders, healthcare providers, universities, non-profits, consumer advocates, and local government and business leaders. The Commission will work to identify priorities and advise the Governor on the most effective policy directions and methods to improve the health and wellness of Arizona women and children.
Colorado HJR 1031 (2008, adopted): Creates a task force to study access to healthcare for vulnerable populations including expanding efforts under House Bill 07-1021, as enacted at the first regular session of the Sixty-sixth General Assembly, to address wellness care and treatment of chronic conditions for the purpose of achieving improved outcomes and lowering the cost of health care.
Maine Revised Statutes § c.152 (2009, enacted, ME HB 953): The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Statewide Coordinating Council for Public Health, the district coordinating councils for public health and Healthy Maine Partnerships shall undertake a universal wellness initiative to ensure that all people of the State have access to resources and evidence-based interventions in order to know, understand and address health risks and to improve health and prevent disease. A particular focus must be on the uninsured and others facing health disparities. The Initiative is required to include: a Resource toolkit for the uninsured with information on access to disease prevention, health care and other methods for health improvement; an evidence-based health risk assessment that is available to all people in the State; and an annual report card on health status statewide and for each district. MD
Maryland Code § 13-2801 (2009, enacted, MD HB 419): Establishes the Wellness Report Card Pilot Program. The purpose of the pilot program is: a) to identify key wellness and prevention issues in the counties involved in the programs; b) provide a report comparing certain counties in the state to each other and identifying the most important wellness issues that need to be addressed to promote wellness and disease prevention; and c) evaluate the health status of each county in the program by ranking the county within specified health indicator categories.
NM HJM 24 (2009, adopted): Requests the Department of Health and the Economic Development Department to collaborate on a study of the cost and impact of chronic disease on the New Mexico work force and the potential positive impact of business-based wellness programs.
Texas Code § 531.0993 (2009, enacted, TX SB 870): Requires the Department of State Health Services to create an obesity prevention pilot program designed to: a) decrease the rate of obesity in child health plan program enrollees and Medicaid recipients; b) improve the nutritional choices and increase physical activity levels of child health plan program enrollees and Medicaid recipients; and c) achieve long-term reductions in child health plan and Medicaid program costs incurred by the state as a result of obesity. Requires that a report be submitted on the results of the program.
Public Employee State
Insurance Code § 356z.15 (2009, enacted, IL HB 927 and IL S 1877): Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act, the Illinois Insurance Code, and the Health Maintenance Organization Act to permit a policy or plan that provides coverage for hospital or medical treatment to offer wellness coverage. This law permits rewards; reductions in premiums; reduced medical, prescription drug or equipment co-payments, co-insurance, or deductibles for public employees that participate in wellness programs. KY
Kentucky Acts Ch. 10 (2008, enacted, KY HB 321): An act relating to public employee health insurance plans. Requires quarterly report including, among other items, on any results or outcomes of disease management and wellness programs. ME
Maine Chapter 78 (2009, enacted, ME HB 689): Provides access to fitness programs for state employees. This law requires the Executive Director of the Office of Employee Health and Benefits to report on the demonstration project to provide access to fitness programs for state employees. The report is required to provide information on the number of participating state employees, the number and location of participating fitness centers, the types of fitness services used, the number of visits to fitness centers by state employees and the financial impact on the group health plan.
Mississippi Code Annotated § 41-97-1 through 41-97-3 (2010, enacted, MS SB 2646): The department may designate a statewide wellness coordinator to create and develop for use by state agencies a model statewide wellness program to improve the health and wellness of state employees. The wellness program may include: a) education that targets the most costly or prevalent health care claims; b) the dissemination or use of available health risk assessment tools and programs, including surveys that identify an employee's risk level for health-related problems and programs that suggest to employees methods for minimizing risks; c) the development of strategies for the promotion of health, nutritional and fitness-related resources in state agencies; d) the development and promotion of environmental change strategies that integrate healthy behaviors and physical activity; and e) optional incentives to encourage participation in the wellness program, including providing flexibility in employee scheduling to allow for physical activity and participation in the wellness program and coordinating discounts with gyms and fitness centers across the state.
North Carolina Session Law 2009-16 (2009, enacted, NC SB 287): Requires the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees to develop a Comprehensive Wellness Initiative that includes a focus on smoking cessation and weight management and that is designed to be implemented effective July 1, 2010, for smoking cessation and July 1, 2011, for weight management. Benefit levels are to be determined by the Plan based upon tobacco use or the inability of the member to meet national, evidence-based healthy weight clinical guidelines. A) The Plan must develop a mechanism for verifying that the member does not smoke or use other tobacco products. Tobacco use will be reassessed annually at the time of Plan enrollment. All subscribers who have attested that neither they nor their dependents use tobacco, or whose physician certifies in writing that the member is participating in a smoking cessation program, shall have the choice of remaining in the Basic Plan option or enrolling in the Standard Plan option. B) Members will be enrolled in the Basic Plan under the Plan's PPO Plan unless the member attests that the weight and height ratio of the member is within a range determined by the Plan based on evidence-based healthy weight clinical guidelines, or unless the member's physician certifies in writing that the member has a medical condition that prevents the attainment of the specified weight range or that the member is actively participating in a Plan-approved weight management program. In either case, the member has the option to enroll in the Basic or Standard Plan.
OK HR 1050 (2009, adopted): The Oklahoma House of Representatives resolves to act in a strategic and concerted effort to impede and reverse negative health trends in Oklahoma's state government by promoting policies and programs and by pursuing workplace changes that encourage healthy eating and promote active living. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, the following: a) participating in the OK Health Mentoring Program and projects that promote healthy eating and active living; b) encouraging agencies to promote the OK Health Mentoring Program and provide incentives to employees to participate with reduced cost; c) adopting policies that promote healthy eating and active living; d) creating and/or modifying work environments at no cost to the state that are supportive of healthy eating and active living within fully smoke-free workplaces and campuses; e) encouraging agencies to make employees' time more flexible to facilitate walking breaks and other wellness activities; and f) insisting on better, healthier choices in snack bars and vending areas. TX
Texas Chapter No. 665 (2007, enacted, HB 1297): Creates a model state employee wellness program and a multidisciplinary Worksite Wellness Advisory Board. Among other provisions, allows employees 30 minutes a day for exercise; provides for identification of food service vendors that successfully market healthy foods, encourages worksite architectural design featuring wellness features, and encourages and provides time for completion of health risk assessments. WA
Revised Code of Washington § 48.21.045 (2009, enacted, WA S 6019): Allows health insurance carriers to offer a wellness discount of up to 20 percent for small employers that develop and implement a wellness program that directly improves employee wellness. Employers must document program activities with the carrier and may, after three years of implementation, request a reduction in premiums based on improved employee health and wellness.
AL HR 370 (2008, adapted): Supports the Divided We Fail effort of AARP, the Business Roundtable and SEIU calling on policymakers to provide solutions for health care access and financial security for all Americans including stating that wellness and prevention efforts, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top national priorities.
California Resolution Chapter No. 38 (2007, adopted, SCR 31): Recognizes the importance of health and wellness in communities and the role planning plays in keeping our state and communities healthy and declares May as Healthy Communities Month.
KY HR 142 and KY SR 79 (2009, adopted): Recognizes October 11, 2009, as Second Sunday in Kentucky and encourages participation from local governments.
LA SCR 29(2008, adopted): Designates May 12, 2008, as "Obesity Awareness Day" at the legislature.
LA HR 42 (2008, adopted): Commends the citizens of House District No. 29 for striving to lose 2,900 pounds collectively and extends to them best wishes for success.
LA HR 43 (2008, adopted): Recognizes Tuesday, May 6, 2008, as "Legislative Wellness Day" at the Louisiana House of Representatives.
LA HR 31 (2009, adopted): Recognizes May 18, 2009, as Legislative Wellness Day at the Louisiana House of Representatives.
LA HR 16 (2010, adopted): Recognizes April 7, 2010, as National Start! Walking Day and Legislative Wellness Day.
Maine Revised Statutes § c.152 (2009, enacted, ME HB 953): Requires the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Statewide Coordinating Council for Public Health, the district coordinating councils for public health and Healthy Maine Partnerships to undertake a universal wellness initiative to ensure that all people of the State have access to resources and evidence-based interventions in order to know, understand and address health risks and to improve health and prevent disease. Requires a particular focus on the uninsured and others facing health disparities. Requires the Initiative to include: a Resource toolkit for the uninsured with information on access to disease prevention, health care and other methods for health improvement; an evidence-based health risk assessment that is available to all people in the State; and an annual report card on health status statewide and for each district.
NE LR 238 (2008, adopted): Commends the "Divided We Fail" effort and notes, among other items, that "wellness and prevention efforts for Nebraskans, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top priorities of our state."
Chapter 109-2010 (2010, enacted, NY SB 8090): Creates within the Department the health care and wellness education and outreach program. The department will conduct education and outreach programs for consumers, patients, and health care providers relating to any health care matters the commissioner deems appropriate and recommended preventative and wellness practices and services, including evidence based age and gender appropriate testing and screening exams and immunization schedules.
PA HR 397 (2007, adopted): Recognizing the week of September 24 through 30, 2007, as "Health, Wealth and Wellness Week" in Pennsylvania.
PA HR 179 (2009, adopted): This resolution supports the Divided We Fail effort of AARP, the Business Roundtable and SEIU calling on policymakers to provide solutions for health care access and financial security for all Americans including stating that wellness and prevention efforts, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top national priorities. Also urges federal and state officials to work together across party lines.
PA HR 223 (2009, adopted): Recognizes April 29, 2009, as Walk at Lunch Day in Pennsylvania.
PA HR 179 (2009, adopted): Supports the "divided we fail" effort of AARP, the Business Roundtable and SEIU calling on policymakers to provide solutions for health care access and financial security for all Americans including stating that wellness and prevention efforts, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top national priorities.
PA HR 726 (2010, adopted): Recognizes April 28, 2010, as Walk at Lunch Day in Pennsylvania.
SC SR 1197 (2010, adopted): Expresses the heartfelt gratitude of the State senate for the fine work of the Brookland Foundation's Health and Wellness Program, and to honor the organization on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its community health fair.SDSD HCR 1008 (2009, adopted): Expresses support for improved adolescent health and wellness by recognizing the importance of an adolescent well physical to prevent chronic diseases, help better identify and treat chronic diseases, and update immunizations.
Texas Code § 531.0993 (2009, enacted, TX SB 870): Requires the Department of State Health Services to create an obesity prevention pilot program designed to: a) decrease the rate of obesity in child health plan program enrollees and Medicaid recipients; b) improve the nutritional choices and increase physical activity levels of child health plan program enrollees and Medicaid recipients; and c) achieve long-term reductions in child health plan and Medicaid program costs incurred by the state as a result of obesity. A report must be submitted on the results of the program.
TX HR 923 (2009, adopted): Commends the City of Irving for its Irving Wellness Incentive Now program.
VA HJR 823 (2009, adopted): Expresses support for improved adolescent health and wellness by recognizing the importance of an adolescent well-child physical exam to prevent chronic diseases, help better identify and treat chronic diseases, and update immunizations.
WI AJR 42 (2009, adopted): Recognizes April 8 as Wellness Day in Wisconsin.
Although no legislation has been enacted related to state contracting preferences and wellness, the following bills are examples of proposed state contracting preferences legislation. State
CA AB 2360 (2008, did not pass): Would require prospective bidders having a specified number of employees in the state, other than a certified small business or disabled veteran business enterprise, that bid on a contract let or under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services involving expenditures of over a specified amount, to certify in a standard form of questionnaire that it provides fitness and wellness benefits for its employees.
MI SB 281 (2007, did not pass): Would require the Department of Management and Budget, in awarding a contract for the provision of services and items needed by State agencies, to give preference to a business entity that had a wellness program in place for its employees, all other things being equal. Under the bill, "wellness program" would mean a health promotion program offered by an employer to his or her employees.
Indiana Public Law 218 (2007, enacted, IN HB 1678): Among other provisions, this Small Employer Wellness Tax Credit Program allows employers with two to 100 employees to receive a tax credit for 50 percent of the costs incurred in a given year for providing qualified wellness programs to their employees. Increases the cigarette tax by 44 cents per pack to fund various health related expenses. Allows an employer to take a tax credit for making a health benefit plan available to the employer's employees for the first two taxable years that the employer makes the health benefit plan available. Increases the income limit for Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women.
Arizona Executive Order 2008-07 (2008): Concerns reducing the escalation of health care costs; requires the Health Care Cost Containment System to initiate collaborative efforts to develop recommendations on the control of health care costs; concerns improvement of patient care and health outcomes in the areas of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and unhealthy birth outcomes; concerns reforming health care administrative processes. Includes development of recommendations to reduce costs through patient-centered care that further integrates wellness, prevention, self-care education, and chronic disease management as priorities in the delivery of care for Arizonans.
Executive Order- Recomendations to contain costs and improve outcomes
Florida Chapter No. 2007-40 (2007, enacted, FL SB 2260): Deletes designation of Health Secretary and includes designation of State Surgeon General as head of the state's Department of Health; provides duties for the State Surgeon General including promoting wellness.
Establishes State Surgeon General position promoting wellness
HI HR 212 and HI SR 61 (2009, adopted): Requires that any legislative effort to repair the healthcare system in Hawaii incorporate sustainable wellness programs that address the underlying causal factors associated with chronic disease.
Healthcare reform must include wellness programs
Idaho Chapter No. 200 (2007, enacted, ID HB 168): Amends existing law relating to public assistance to define a term; to revise benefits for all Medicaid participants; to remove provisions on personal health account funding, use and disposition; and to provide for use of preventive health assistance benefits.
Public insurance wellness benefit
New Hampshire Chapter No. 57 (2010, enacted, NH HB 1488): Established a basic wellness plan in the small employer market under New Hampshire HealthFirst. New Hampshire HealthFirst, an affordable, wellness-based health insurance plan for small employers. The purpose is to promote the availability of more affordable health coverage in the small employer market by engaging consumers, health care providers, insurers, and small employers to address the underlying costs of health care through better care management and more efficient utilization of health care services without increasing overall cost sharing requirements or reducing coverage for services essential to health and wellness.
Oklahoma Chapter No. 412 (2008, adopted, OK HB 2713): Among other purposes, gives authority to develop a process for Medicaid consumers to select commercial health insurance options, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority may develop a plan to implement a personal health account system as an enhanced benefit. Monies deposited into a personal health account shall only be used by the recipient to defray health-care-related costs including, but not limited to, copayments, non-covered benefits, and wellness initiatives. The Health Care Authority shall promulgate rules guiding personal health account transactions.
Personal health account monies used for wellness initiatives
Sample Appropriation Bills
Kentucky Chapter No. 123 (2008, enacted, KY HB 410): This economic development appropriations bill includes funds for wellness projects. Including: Clay County Fiscal Court: Community Wellness Program, Laurel Creek, Construction, $12,000 Restricted Funds. Menifee County Fiscal Court: Remodel Wellness Building $25,000 Restricted Funds. MN
Minnesota Chapter No. 179 (2008, enacted, MN HB 380): Capital improvements appropriations bill includes item for a specific wellness center. Normandale Community College Classroom Addition and Renovation $7,000,000 to complete design of and to construct, furnish, and equip an addition to and renovation of the Health and Wellness Building for classrooms, laboratories, and related offices, and to renovate, furnish, and equip the Athletics Building for classrooms and related space. This appropriation includes funding to install an elevator to make the building ADA accessible.
Mississippi Chapter No. 939 (2009, enacted, MS HB 1615): Authorizes Desoto County to contribute annually to the DeSoto Health and Wellness Center. NM
New Mexico Chapter No. 80 (2008, enacted, NM SB 333): Authorizes the issuance and sale of Capital Projects General Obligation bonds for capital projects and includes: to the Indian affairs department, three million dollars ($3,000,000)to plan, design and construct a regional wellness center at the Santa Fe Indian school in Santa Fe in Santa Fe county.
Ohio Chapter No. 53 (2008, enacted, OH HB 496): Makes capital reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2010, and certain capital appropriations, including $ 1,000,000 to the MetroHealth Senior Health and Wellness Center.
Pennsylvania Chapter No. 2008-41 (2007, enacted, PA HB 1589): An act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2007-2008. It includes an appropriations for wellness centers such as: a) acqiusition, infrastructure, construction and other related costs for the construction of a lifespan wellness center in Moon Township, $10,000,000; b) infastructure improvements and construction for an addition to the Alvernia College Health and Wellness Center $6,000,000; c) construction of a medical-model wellness center at Indiana Regional Medical Center, including acquisition, infrastructure and other related costs, $2,000,000; d) construction, redevelopment and other related costs for the North Pocono High School Health and Wellness Center, $4,000,000; e) construction, redevelopment and other related costs for the Lakeland High School Health and Wellness Center, $2,000,000; f)construction of new facilities for the Wellness Community's National Survivorship Research and Training Institute, $5,000,000; and f) Demolition, acquisition and infrastructure improvements and construction of the AMP Wellness Center and Headquarters, $4,000,000.