TYP:Concurrent Resolution CR

BIL:1009

TYP:Concurrent Resolution CR

INB:Senate

IND:19980211

PSP:McConnell

SPO:McConnell and Passailaigue

DDN:kgh\15410ac.98

DPB:19980528

SUB:Congress requests not to exempt health plans sponsored by associations and employer welfare from insurance standards

HST:1009

BodyDateAction DescriptionComLeg Involved

______

Senate19980528Received from House

House19980528Adopted, returned with concurrence

House19980527Debate adjourned until

Thursday, 19980528

House19980521Committee report: Favorable24 HIMR

House19980310Introduced, referred to Committee24 HIMR

Senate19980305Adopted, sent to House

Senate19980303Polled out of Committee:02 SBI

Without report

Senate19980211Introduced, referred to Committee02 SBI

TXT:

[1009-1 ]

COMMITTEE REPORT

May 21, 1998

S. 1009

Introduced by Senators McConnell and Passailaigue

S. Printed 5/21/98--H.

Read the first time March 10, 1998.

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1009), to memorialize the South Carolina Congressional Delegation and the United States Congress to reject any legislation, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.

[1009-1 ]

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REJECT ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXEMPT HEALTH PLANS SPONSORED BY ASSOCIATIONS AND MULTIPLE EMPLOYER WELFARE ARRANGEMENTS FROM STATE INSURANCE STANDARDS AND OVERSIGHT.

Whereas, Congress is considering legislation to exempt insurance arrangements offered by associations and multiple employer welfare arrangements from state insurance reform standards; and

Whereas, this proposal would allow associations and multiple employer welfare arrangements to be regulated by the federal government under inadequate federal standards; and

Whereas, Congress explicitly gave states authority to regulate multiple employer welfare arrangements in 1983 after numerous cases of fraud, abuse, and insolvency regarding multiple employer welfare arrangements; and

Whereas, the states, as the primary regulators of the local insurance market, are better able to ensure effective regulation of these entities than the federal government; and

Whereas, federal preemption would undermine efforts states have made to protect consumers through establishing minimum standards for health plans; and

Whereas, federal preemption would undermine state insurance reforms passed in recent years at the urging of business groups to improve access and affordability for small employers; and

Whereas, this exemption would seriously erode the funding mechanisms of access measures for the uninsured and for uncompensated care enacted by the states. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, memorialize the South Carolina Congressional Delegation and the United States Congress to reject any legislation that would exempt health plans sponsored by associations and multiple employer welfare arrangements from state insurance standards and oversight.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the President of the United States Senate.

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[1009-1 ]