SHOP Act

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 summary

Sponsor

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

• House Energy and Commerce
• 5 more
  • House Ways and Means
  • House Education and Labor
  • House Rules
  • House Ways and Means
  • House Energy and Commerce
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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

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All Bill Actions

• May 07, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• Apr 30, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• 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.
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Education and Labor
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Ways and Means
• Apr 29, 2008: Referred to House Rules
• Introduced on Apr 29, 2008.

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Related Bills:

• S.2795

Related Issue Areas:

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

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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Blog Coverage

December 19, 2008 NFIB.com - Report on the 110th Congress: Small Business Setbacks

The SHOP Act (H.R. 5918) and the Health Care Choice Act (H.R. 2355), which sought to improve access to and affordability of quality heathcare for small business. The National Health Information Incentive Act (H.R. 1952), ...

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Source: NFIB.com Index: The Latest on Small Business

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August 18, 2008 Silver Top Graphics | Microbusiness News Briefs

Some of them, like the SHOP Act (S. 2795, H.R. 5918), attempt to do both. The bill is the product of intense bipartisan negotiation between Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), ...

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Source: Microbusiness News Briefs

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May 22, 2008 New Jersey REALTORS® Emphasize Housing Message on Capitol Hill

NJAR® indicated its support of H.R. 5918, the Small Business Health Insurance Options Program Act of 2008 (SHOP) sponsored by Representative John Barrow (D-GA), saying it makes health insurance more affordable, predictable and ...

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Source: NJAR® Press Releases

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