OLR Bill Analysis

SB 32 (File 15, as amended by Senate "A")*

AN ACT REQUIRING A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS REQUIRED IN THIS STATE.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the insurance commissioner to convene and chair a mandate review commission to (1) conduct a cost-benefit analysis of all benefits required by state law to be provided in health insurance policies on and after the bill's passage (this includes existing mandated benefits and any enacted in the future) and (2) determine the impact of such benefits on insurance premiums. It must report its findings to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee by January 1, 2007, and annually thereafter.

Under the bill, the commission must include (1) the insurance commissioner; (2) the chairpersons and ranking members of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee; (3) the healthcare advocate; (4) people selected by the commissioner who represent consumers, physicians, health insurers, and HMOs; and (5) any of the commissioner's staff members as she determines is appropriate.

*Senate Amendment “A” replaced a work group with a mandate review commission. The work group was to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of all benefits required in health insurance policies and report findings by January 1, 2007.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

COMMITTEE ACTION

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

Joint Favorable