Vetoed by Governor Chris Christie

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange.

Highlights:

• Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange (Sec. 4).

• Requires health benefit plans and health insurers issuing coverage in the individual and employer markets in New Jersey to compete on the basis of price, quality, and service, rather than risk selection (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of coverage under qualified health benefits plans through the exchange at “affordable” prices by enrollees (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Board to establish the State Business Health Options Program (SHOP) to assist participating employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in qualified health benefits plans offered through the exchange as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Sec. 6).

• Requires a participating employer to enter into a written agreement with the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange that includes all of the following (Sec. 6):
• Responsibilities of the employer with regard to the participation of its employees in qualified health benefits plans;
• The level of coverage that employees may receive through a qualified health benefit plan;
• Indication that the employer will either communicate with an insurance carrier directly or through the exchange; and
• A description of premium aggregation and other related services intended to minimize the administrative burden on the employer.

• Requires the Board to allow employers to purchase coverage through the exchange according to the following schedule (Sec. 6):
• By January 1, 2014 for “small employers”;
• By January 1, 2016 for employers with at least 51 but fewer than 100 employees; and
• By January 1, 2017 for employers with more than 100 employees.

• Defines “small employer” as a person, firm, corporation, or partnership that is actively engaged in business and that employs at least 2 but no more than 50 employees (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange.

Highlights:

• Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange (Sec. 4).

• Requires health benefit plans and health insurers issuing coverage in the individual and employer markets in New Jersey to compete on the basis of price, quality, and service, rather than risk selection (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of coverage under qualified health benefits plans through the exchange at “affordable” prices by enrollees (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Board to establish the State Business Health Options Program (SHOP) to assist participating employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in qualified health benefits plans offered through the exchange as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Sec. 6).

• Requires a participating employer to enter into a written agreement with the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange that includes all of the following (Sec. 6):
• Responsibilities of the employer with regard to the participation of its employees in qualified health benefits plans;
• The level of coverage that employees may receive through a qualified health benefit plan;
• Indication that the employer will either communicate with an insurance carrier directly or through the exchange; and
• A description of premium aggregation and other related services intended to minimize the administrative burden on the employer.

• Requires the Board to allow employers to purchase coverage through the exchange according to the following schedule (Sec. 6):
• By January 1, 2014 for “small employers”;
• By January 1, 2016 for employers with at least 51 but fewer than 100 employees; and
• By January 1, 2017 for employers with more than 100 employees.

• Defines “small employer” as a person, firm, corporation, or partnership that is actively engaged in business and that employs at least 2 but no more than 50 employees (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text