S. 545 · 108th Congress
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 108th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
R
SnoweSponsor8 cosponsors · 1 D, 7 R
6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Mar 6, 2003
Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination.
Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage.
Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act.
Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law.
Revises provisions relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements.
Provides for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003
Latest action (Mar 6, 2003): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3256-3263)
Policy area: Health · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Mar 6, 2003
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.