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S 979 111th Congress Senate Health Advisory bodies Employee benefits and pensions Government studies and investigations Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Income tax credits Public contracts and procurement Self-employed Small business

SHOP Act

Introduced: May 5, 2009 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 5, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5135-5142)
May 5, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5133-5134)
May 5, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2009 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.

Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.

Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program, provide referrals to applicable agencies for any grievance, complaint, or question, and assist in enrollment.

Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan.

Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study: (1) the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements; and (2) the administrative procedures that apply to the program and to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in states.

Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.

Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.

What's happening now May 5, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5135-5142)

 Committees of jurisdiction 1