Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008

To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.

4/29/2008--Introduced.
Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 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 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 the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.
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.

... morehide bill summarySee Full Bill Text

Sponsor

• Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
• and 1 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. C. W. Bill Young [R, FL-10]
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Committees

• House Energy and Commerce
• 4 more
  • House Energy and Commerce
  • House Ways and Means
  • House Rules
  • House Education and Labor
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Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.5918

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
April 29, 2008

Show All Actions (7 actions)Hide Actions

All Bill Actions

• Apr 30, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Rules
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Ways and Means
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Education and Labor
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, 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.
• Introduced on Apr 29, 2008.

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Related Bills:

• S.2795

Related Issue Areas:

• Tax credits
• Small business
• Self-employed
• Medical care
• 11 more
• Labor
• Insurance premiums
• Income tax
• Health insurance
• Governmental investigations
• Finance
• Federal advisory bodies
• Executive departments
• Employee health benefits
• Business
• Health policy

Data from the Congressional Research Service

In the News

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Blog Coverage

May 21, 2008 NAR's Midyear Meeting in Washington Yields Success and Pushes for ...

A companion bill, HR 5918, has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Barrow (D-Georgia-12). Determining the fate of major legislation, especially during an election year, is an inexact science, ...

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Source: The President's Corner

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May 18, 2008 NAR Members & Our Concerns Were Heard by Congress Last Week

WASHINGTON — It’s not enough for House and Senate lawmakers to pass legislation that will help bring health back to the housing industry; they have to fashion bills that can go the distance and get President Bush’s signature. ...

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Source: The President's Corner

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May 15, 2008 Message to Congress: Go the Distance

A House companion bill, HR 5918, was introduced shortly after the Senate bill. “We have a tall order ahead of us,” NAR Chief Lobbyist Jerry Giovaniello, said candidly at the forum. But thanks to NAR’s bipartisan approach to all of its ...

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Source: Ask About Realestate.net

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