Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Rhode Island health benefit exchange.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Rhode Island health benefit exchange as a public corporation of the state (Sec. 1).

• Requires the exchange to be governed by an executive board consisting of 11 members, appointed as follows (Sec. 1):
• The director of the Department of Administration or his or her designee;
• The commissioner of the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner or his or her designee;
• The secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or his or her designee; and
• 8 members of the general public appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, 2 of whom represent consumer organizations and 2 of whom represent small businesses.

• Prohibits health plans purchased with state or federal funds through a health benefit exchange from covering abortion procedures (Sec. 1).

• Exempts abortion procedures that are necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is a result of an act of rape or incest (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that coverage is deemed to be purchased with state or federal funds if any tax credit or cost-sharing credit is applied toward the health plan (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes health insurance providers to provide separate coverage for abortion procedures, as long as such coverage is not purchased in whole or in part with any state or federal funds (Sec. 1).

• Requires the health benefit exchange to meet only the minimum requirements of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unless the legislature acts otherwise (Sec. 1).

• Requires the health benefit exchange to make qualified health plans available to qualified individuals and employers by January 1, 2014 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text