Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008

A bill 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.

4/2/2008--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

• Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL]
• and 13 Co-Sponsors
  • Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM]
  • Sen. Christopher Bond [R, MO]
  • Sen. Robert Casey [D, PA]
  • Norm Coleman
  • Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]
  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN]
  • Sen. Herbert Kohl [D, WI]
  • Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT]
  • Sen. Blanche Lincoln [D, AR]
  • Sen. Mark Pryor [D, AR]
  • Sen. Ken Salazar [D, CO]
  • Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]
  • Sen. Arlen Specter [D, PA]
  close

Committees

• Senate Finance

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to S.2795

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by Senate		Voted on by House		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
April 02, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Apr 03, 2008: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2425-2526)
• Introduced on Apr 02, 2008.
• Apr 02, 2008: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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Related Bills:

• H.R.5918

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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In the News

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Blog Coverage

January 02, 2009 NFIB.com - Small Business Looks at 2009

Pass the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act (S. 2795), which would lower the cost of health insurance by providing tax credits, market pooling, ratings reforms and administrative cost savings. ...

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

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December 06, 2008 Blogs Expansión.com

Фл.) внес законопроект S. 2795 под тем же названием и того же содержания, что и H.R. 529

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Source: Apuntes liberales de un chico de derechas

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December 04, 2008 Business First: NFIB Unveils Aggressive, Pro-Growth Agenda for ...

Pass the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act (S. 2795), which would lower the cost of health insurance by providing tax credits, market pooling, ratings reforms and administrative cost savings. ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

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

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

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