71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3914
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3574
                   Ordered by the House May 21
             Including House Amendments dated May 21
 
Sponsored by Representatives NOLAN, KNOPP, KRUMMEL
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Directs Insurance Pool Governing Board to contract for and
offer health benefit plans for  { + certain + } small employers.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to health insurance; amending ORS 653.715 and 653.745.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1. ORS 653.715 is amended to read:
  653.715. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly by
enactment of ORS 653.705 to 653.850 to increase access to health
insurance and health care by providing:
  (1) Information about health benefit plans and the premiums
charged for those plans to self-employed individuals and small
employers in Oregon;
  (2) Direct assistance to health insurance agents and health
insurance consumers regarding health benefit plans;   { - and - }
 
  (3) A central source for information about resources for health
care and health insurance  { - . - }  { + ; and
  (4) Health benefit plans for small employers that have not
provided a group health benefit plan for eligible employees for a
period of at least one year. + }
  SECTION 2. ORS 653.745 is amended to read:
  653.745. (1) In carrying out its duties under ORS 653.705 to
653.850, the Insurance Pool Governing Board shall:
  (a) Enter into contracts for administration of ORS 653.705 to
653.850 including collection of premiums and paying carriers.
  (b) Retain consultants and employ staff.
   { +  (c) Enter into contracts with carriers or health care
providers for health benefit plans, including contracts where
final payment may be reduced if usage is below a level fixed in
the contract.
  (d) Set premium rates for eligible employees and small
employers.
  (e) Perform other duties to provide low-cost health benefit
plans of types likely to be purchased by small employers.
  (f) Establish contributions to be paid by small employers
toward the premiums incurred on behalf of covered eligible
employees.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other health benefit plan contracted
for and offered by the board, the board shall contract for a
health benefit plan or plans best designed to meet the needs and
provide for the welfare of eligible employees and small
employers.
  (3) The board may approve more than one carrier for each type
of plan contracted for and offered, but the number of carriers
shall be held to a number consistent with adequate service to
eligible employees and family members.
  (4) Where appropriate for a contracted and offered health
benefit plan, the board shall provide options under which an
eligible employee may arrange coverage for family members of the
employee.
  (5) In developing any health benefit plan, the board may
provide an option of additional coverage for eligible employees
and family members at an additional cost or premium.
  (6) Transfer of enrollment from one health benefit plan to
another shall be open to all eligible employees and family
members under rules adopted by the board.
  (7) If the board requests less health care service or benefit
than is otherwise required by state law, a carrier is not
required to offer such service or benefit.
  (8) Health benefit plans for small employers contracted for and
offered by the board must provide a sufficient level of benefits
to be eligible for a subsidy under ORS 653.810. + }
    { - (2) - }   { + (9) + } The board may employ whatever means
are reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of ORS 653.705
to 653.850.  Such authority includes but is not limited to
authority to seek clarification, amendment, modification,
suspension or termination of any agreement or contract which in
the board's judgment requires such action.
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