S 1899 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1899
To require every American to have health insurance coverage.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 30, 2007
Mr. CARDIN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To require every American to have health insurance coverage.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ALL AMERICANS.
(a) In General- Each individual residing in the United States who is a citizen or national of the United States, or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence shall have qualified health coverage.
(b) Qualified Health Coverage Defined- For purposes of this section, the term `qualified health coverage' means coverage under any of the following:
(1) The medicare, medicaid, or SCHIP program, under title XVIII, XIX, or XXI of the Social Security Act.
(2) A program of veterans' medical care under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code.
(3) Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code.
(4) The Federal employees health benefits program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code.
(5) A program of the Indian Health Service.
(6) A group health plan (as defined in section 733(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), including a retiree health plan.
(7) A health plan described in subsection (d).
(8) Any other qualified health coverage as the State involved finds appropriate.
(c) Exception- Subsection (a) shall not apply to an individual who is opposed for religious reasons to health coverage, including an individual who declines health plan coverage due to a reliance on healing using spiritual means through prayer alone.
(d) Low Cost Plans- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shall develop at least 3 types of low-cost health insurance plans for each State and the District of Columbia that shall be made available, on a guaranteed-issue basis, to all individuals with incomes below 400 percent of the Federal poverty line (as determined by the Secretary).
(e) Effective Date- Subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2009.
SEC. 3. EXCISE TAX FOR ENFORCEMENT AND FUNDING OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE HOSPITAL POOL.
(a) In General- Subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to miscellaneous excise taxes) is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
`CHAPTER 48--UNINSURED EXCISE TAX FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE HOSPITAL POOL
`SEC. 5000A. UNINSURED EXCISE TAX FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE HOSPITAL POOL.
`There is hereby imposed on each individual who for any month (or portion thereof) is required, but fails, to have qualified health coverage in accordance with section 2(a) of the Universal Health Coverage Act of 2007 for any continuous period that is greater than 60 days a tax in an amount equal to the average monthly premium amount for qualified health coverage in the State in which the individual resides (as determined pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Secretary) for each such month.'.
(b) Application of Tax for Automatic Enrollment- Amounts collected under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be credited to a fund administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and shall be available in advance of appropriations for the Secretary to cover the cost of administering a program to automatically enroll individuals who pay a tax under such section in health care coverage under one of the three lowest cost qualified health coverage products offered in the State involved. Such coverage may include enrollment in any program described in section 2(b) if the individual is eligible for such enrollment. The Secretary shall carry out the program under this subsection in consultation and coordination with State governors.
(c) Clerical Amendment- The table of chapters for subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2009.
U.S. Congress - Text of S.1899 as Introduced in Senate Universal Health Coverage Act of 2007
