S. 3554 · 110th Congress
Affordable Coverage for Small Employers Act of 2008
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 110th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
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SmithSponsor1 cosponsor · 1 I
1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Affordable Coverage for Small Employers Act of 2008 - Establishes the National Health Coverage Policy Board as an independent agency to oversee a program to provide health insurance coverage to small employers and their employees.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Sep 24, 2008
Affordable Coverage for Small Employers Act of 2008 - Establishes the National Health Coverage Policy Board as an independent agency to oversee a program to provide health insurance coverage to small employers and their employees.
Directs the Policy Board to: (1) determine a comprehensive, quality, and affordable standard benefit package similar to that provided under specified large federal employees health benefits (FEHB) plans; (2) apportion the United States into regions with no less than two states each; (3) establish a Regional Health Coverage Exchange for each region to serve as a central purchasing site for health coverage, to provide information about plans, to facilitate enrollment, and to ensure health plan compliance with requirements; and (4) establish the Regional Health Coverage Exchange Board.
Requires the Regional Board to develop common rating guidelines relating to the health insurance market for small employers. Directs each state to enact laws necessary to regulate its small group insurance market in accordance with such guidelines. Authorizes states to permit sole proprietors and individuals to purchase coverage through the Exchange.
Sets forth requirements for a health insurance issuer to offer health care coverage through an Exchange.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a refundable tax credit for taxpayer premiums for qualified health insurance purchased through an Exchange; (2) allow a refundable tax credit for small employer contributions toward the cost of such employee health insurance; and (3) provide for advance payment of such tax credits.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Affordable Coverage for Small Employers Act of 2008
Latest action (Sep 24, 2008): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Policy area: Health · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Sep 24, 2008
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.