Health insurance exchanges.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL HOUSE
BILL

NO.
0050

ENROLLED ACT NO. 102, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING
2011 GENERAL SESSION

AN ACT relating to the administration of government and the 2010 federal health care reform; providing for a study of whether the state should establish and operate a Wyoming health insurance exchange or participate in a regional exchange; creating a steering committee; requiring a report and specifying report requirements; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1.

(a)

The steering committee created under subsection (c) of this section shall conduct a study of whether to create a Wyoming health insurance exchange or participate in a regional exchange, hereinafter referred to as "the exchange," as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, P.L. 111-152, hereinafter referred to collectively as "the health care reform acts."

(b)

The study shall be paid for, to the extent possible, by a federal grant awarded to the state for planning and establishment of insurance exchanges.

(c)

There is created the Wyoming Health Insurance Exchange Steering Committee. The committee shall consist of:

(i)

Two (2) senators appointed by the president of the senate, one (1) of which shall serve as co-chairman of the committee;

(ii)

Two (2) representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, one (1) of which shall serve as co-chairman of the committee;

(iii)

Two (2) representatives from the business community in the state appointed by the governor;

(iv)

Two (2) representatives from domestic insurance companies appointed by the governor;

(v)

One (1) insurance producer appointed by the governor;

(vi)

One (1) medical provider appointed by the governor;

(vii)

One (1) person representing hospitals in the state appointed by the governor;

(viii)

One (1) person representing
Wyoming
consumers appointed by the governor;

(ix)

At least five (5) members from affected state agencies and the governor's office appointed by the governor. The governor shall appoint two (2) co-chairmen for the steering committee.

(d)

The
Wyoming
health insurance exchange steering committee shall have the authority to contract with experts and consultants as may be useful in conducting the study.

(e)

The study shall:

(i)

Recommend whether the state should proceed or not proceed with the development of an exchange;

(ii)

If the recommendation is that the state should proceed with the development of the exchange, provide a work plan for the development of the exchange and identify any legislation needed to implement the exchange during the 2012 legislative budget session or subsequent legislative sessions;

(iii)

Recommend whether the state should proceed with the development of the exchange within the state, as a partner with other states or defer the decision until 2013. If a deferral is recommended, the study shall identify the additional work needed before a final decision can be made;

(iv)

Evaluate how the exchange will help the operation of the private marketplace in health insurance by helping people comparison shop for health insurance and by reducing the marketing cost for health insurance. The study shall identify any additional work needed to facilitate these goals, if they are feasible;

(v)

Consider options being considered by other states in developing and operating health insurance exchanges;

(vi)

Evaluate whether the exchange should offer a full scope of services or whether a more limited scope of services is appropriate;

(vii)

Recommend whether Wyoming should proceed with the development of a health insurance exchange if the related provisions in the health care reform acts are repealed; and

(viii)

Evaluate whether an exchange can be used to facilitate the sale of health insurance across state lines.

(f)

A preliminary study report shall be provided to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee by October 1, 2011.

(g)

The legislative members of the committee shall receive salary and reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on the committee as provided in W.S. 28
‑
5
‑
101. There is appropriated ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) from the general fund to the legislative service office for the salary, per diem and travel for the legislative members of the steering committee. Any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2012.

Section 2.

This act is effective immediately upon co
m
pletion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constit
u
tion.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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