Signed by Governor John Kitzhaber

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Oregon Health Authority to continue to provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to transfer the ending balance of funds received from assessments collected from insurers and from the Public Employees Benefit to the Oregon Health Authority (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Establishes the Temporary Medical Insurance Program that facilitates health insurance coverage through March 31, 2014, and requires the Authority to fund coverage through the Program for “high risk” individuals previously enrolled in the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Specifies that if the ending balance is “insufficient” to fund coverage through the Temporary Medical Insurance Program, the Authority is required to work with the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool Board to cover any additional costs with the funds from the Oregon Reinsurance Program (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to permit a “transitional health benefit plan” to remain active until the later of December 31, 2015 or a later date specified by the Department if the plan is authorized by the following (Sec. 5):
• The United States Department of Health and Human Services;
• The United States Department of labor; or
• The United States Department of Treasury.

• Defines “transitional health benefit plan” as a health benefit plan that meets the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The plan was issued to an individual or “small” employer who renewed coverage in the 2013 calendar year;
• The plan complies with insurance requirements in effect on December 31, 2013, and does not comply with insurance requirements in effect on or after January 1, 2014; and
• The plan is active on the effective date of this bill.

• Repeals the transitional health benefit plan related provisions of this bill on January 2, 2017 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Oregon Health Authority to continue to provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to transfer the ending balance of funds received from assessments collected from insurers and from the Public Employees Benefit to the Oregon Health Authority (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Establishes the Temporary Medical Insurance Program that facilitates health insurance coverage through March 31, 2014, and requires the Authority to fund coverage through the Program for “high risk” individuals previously enrolled in the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Specifies that if the ending balance is “insufficient” to fund coverage through the Temporary Medical Insurance Program, the Authority is required to work with the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool Board to cover any additional costs with the funds from the Oregon Reinsurance Program (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to permit a “transitional health benefit plan” to remain active until the later of December 31, 2015 or a later date specified by the Department if the plan is authorized by the following (Sec. 5):
• The United States Department of Health and Human Services;
• The United States Department of labor; or
• The United States Department of Treasury.

• Defines “transitional health benefit plan” as a health benefit plan that meets the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The plan was issued to an individual or “small” employer who renewed coverage in the 2013 calendar year;
• The plan complies with insurance requirements in effect on December 31, 2013, and does not comply with insurance requirements in effect on or after January 1, 2014; and
• The plan is active on the effective date of this bill.

• Repeals the transitional health benefit plan related provisions of this bill on January 2, 2017 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text