Bill Summary & Status for the 106th Congress

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H.R.2047
Sponsor: Rep Talent, James M.(introduced 6/8/1999)
Latest Major Action: 6/16/1999 House committee/subcommittee actions: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Title: To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.
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TITLE(S):  (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
STATUS: (color indicates Senate actions)

          See also: Related House Committee Documents
6/8/1999:
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
6/11/1999:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
6/16/1999:
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
6/16/1999:
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
COMMITTEE(S):
RELATED BILL DETAILS:

***NONE***

AMENDMENT(S):

***NONE***

COSPONSORS(1), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Rep Dooley, Calvin M. - 6/8/1999

SUMMARY AS OF:
6/8/1999--Introduced.

Small Business Access and Choice for Entrepreneurs Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish rules governing health plans sponsored by certain associations, including requirements for: (1) certification; (2) sponsors and boards of trustees, and treatment of franchised networks and collectively bargained plans; (3) participation and coverage of employers and individuals and of previously uninsured employees; (4) plan documents, contribution rates, and benefit options; (5) maintenance of reserves, excess-stop loss insurance, and solvency indemnification for plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage; (6) applications and related reporting; (7) notice for voluntary termination; and (8) corrective actions and mandatory termination.

(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply, to the appropriate Federal district court, to be appointed trustee of certain insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage.

Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on an association health plan that begins operations in such State after the enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the effect association health plans have had, if any, on reducing the number of uninsured individuals.

(Sec. 3) Revises requirements for treatment of single employer arrangements.

(Sec. 4) Revises requirements for certain collectively bargained arrangements.

(Sec. 5) Sets forth enforcement requirements relating to association health plans.

(Sec. 6) Sets forth State responsibilities, and requirements for cooperation between Federal and State authorities, with respect to association health plans.

(Sec. 7) Prescribes special rules for certain existing health benefits programs.