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HR 850 111th Congress House Health Department of the Treasury Employee benefits and pensions Executive agency funding and structure Federal preemption Health care costs and insurance Income tax credits Insurance industry and regulation Small business

Small Business CHOICE Act of 2009

Introduced: February 4, 2009 Introduced by: Velázquez, Nydia M. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 9, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 4, 2009
Referred to House Ways and Means
Feb 4, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 4, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Feb 4, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Small Business Cooperative for Healthcare Options to Improve Coverage for Employees (CHOICE) Act of 2009 or the Small Business CHOICE Act of 2009 - Provides for the establishment and governance of Fully Funded Small Business Health Insurance cooperatives, which are small businesses that form a captive insurance company chartered in a qualified state to provide excess claims coverage insurance that meets certain qualifications to its members.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an independent commission on Fully Funded Small Business Health Insurance Cooperatives to: (1) promote the development of such cooperatives; (2) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding minimum capital requirements; and (3) conduct oversight of such cooperatives.

Exempts such cooperatives from certain state laws, rules, regulations, or orders, including any that would: (1) prohibit the establishment of a cooperative; (2) impose any material requirements, procedures, or standards on a cooperative that are not generally applicable to other entities engaged in a substantially similar business; or (3) discriminate against a cooperative or any of its members.

Preempts any state law that conflicts with, hinders, poses an obstacle to, or frustrates the purpose of this Act.

Sets forth provisions governing the provision of claims information, including protected health information, from health insurance issuers to cooperatives.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the small business CHOICE tax credit for small employers for costs related to providing qualified employer-subsidized health coverage for employees and their families. Disallows such a credit unless the employee offers a qualified small business wellness program to covered employees and family members.

What's happening now February 9, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1