Health Reform Bills, 2007
updated Oct. 2007
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State |
Bill / Link |
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CA |
A.B. 8 A merged Senate and House bill. These bill would include an employer assessment of 7.5% of their payrolls to workers' health coverage. The proposal excludes a requirement that all state residents obtain health care insurance. The legislature passed AB 8 on September 10 and sent it to the Governor, who has indicated that he will veto the bill. The Governor has now called a special legislative session to finalize details of reform with the Democratic leadership.
S.B. 48 Would create the Health Insurance Connector (Connector),which would function as a purchasing pool for health care coverage and be administered by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Referred back to Health Committee (6/25/07)
S.B. 840 Would establish the California Universal Healthcare System to be administered by the newly created California Universal Healthcare Agency under the control of a Universal Healthcare Commissioner appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. Sent to Health Committee (6/21/2007)
A.B. 53 Would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would provide universal health care coverage regardless of age, income, employment, or health status. Amended to establishes an Office of AIDS in the State Department of Public Health, and requires that the office be responsible for the coordination of state programs, services, and activities relating to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and AIDS related conditions (ARC). Re-referred to the Health Committee (3/28/2007) |
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CT |
H.B. 6655 Would provides universal health care for Connecticut residents. Public Hearing (2/8/07), No Action (2/22/07) - Special Session
H.B. 6661 Would establish universal health care insurance in accordance with five principles to guide reform set forth by the Institute of Medicine. Public Hearing (2/8/07), No Action (2/22/07)- Special Session
H.B. 6969 Would establish health insurance coverage for all individuals who are not currently covered by a health insurance plan. Such plan is financed by contributions from businesses and employees and includes a mandate that all Connecticut citizens submit proof of health insurance coverage. Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health (1/25/07)- Special Session
H.B. 6652 Would reduce the number of Connecticut residents who lack health insurance benefits, to reduce the cost of health benefits, to promote the health of Connecticut residents and to improve the quality of health care services in this state. Substitute bill (File Number 896) This bill establishes the Connecticut Healthy Steps Program, which consists of numerous health insurance requirements, tax provisions, HUSKY program changes, and public health initiatives. It establishes a Health Care Reform Commission, the Connecticut Connector, a Commission on Healthy Lifestyles, a health savings account incentive program, and a premium subsidy program. It also makes several appropriations. Fiscal Note for File Copy 896, Bill Analysis for File Copy 896 Tabled for the Calendar in the House (5/31/07) - Special Session
H.B 6332 Would make it unlawful for any resident to be without health insurance coverage for more than six consecutive months; Requiring any individual who is eligible for or receiving state sponsored assistance who has a dependent child to enroll the child in the HUSKY Plan, if such child is eligible, or show proof that the child has existing coverage. Public Hearing (2/26/07), No Action- Special Session
H.B. 6281 Would establish a trust account with the State Treasurer to ensure funding for health insurance for all Connecticut residents and quality health care for such residents. Amended by Committee, for amended draft, click here. Change of Reference, to Committee on Appropriations (4/9/07)- Special Session
Note: The Connecticut Senate did pass health reform as part of thier budget bill. For more information, please click here
NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site. |
| FL |
S.B. 910 Would establish single, publicly funded statewide program to provide medically necessary health services for each child in state. Died in Committee on Health Policy (5/4/07)-Referred Special Session |
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HI |
H.B. 759 (S.B. 1061) Would establish an agency to operate a single-payer universal health care system Referred to Committee (1/22/07)-Session Adjourned
H.B. 56 Would establish the Hawaii Health Commission to develop a plan for health care for all individuals in the State. Referred to House Committee on Health, Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and the House Committee on Finance (3/23/07)-Session Adjourned |
| IL |
S.B. 5 Would create the Illinois Health Care For All Act. Placed on Calendar (5/31/07)
For information on Illinois Covered, click here |
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IN |
H.B. 1680 Would create a plan of health insurance to provide primary coverage to every resident of Indiana. Creates the health insurance commission (commission) to administer the plan. Specifies minimum benefits that the commission must provide. Creates the health insurance trust fund from which covered health services and expenses of the commission would be paid. Raises taxes on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Imposes certain payments on individuals and employers. Referred to Committee on Public Health (1/23/07)-Session Adjourned
H.B. 1678 Provides for a tax credit related to small employer qualified wellness programs. Increases the cigarette tax by 44 cents per pack to fund various health related expenses. Allows an employer to take a tax credit for making a health benefit plan available to the employer's employees for the first two taxable years that the employer makes the health benefit plan available. Increases the income limit for Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. Makes funding changes to the hospital care for the indigent program, the municipal disproportionate share program, and the Medicaid indigent care trust fund. Provides for continuous eligibility of a child under Medicaid and the children's health insurance program (CHIP) until the child becomes three years of age. Establishes the Indiana check-up plan (plan) and the Indiana check-up plan trust fund. Specifies requirements for the plan, including coverage, financial assistance, eligibility and enrollment, contracting, financial obligations, and funding requirements. Increases the CHIP eligibility family income limit. Requires the state department of health to establish standards for and certify a small employer qualified wellness program. Requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations to cover children up to 24 years old upon request. Allows certain small employers to join together to purchase group health insurance and allows the insurance commissioner and the office of the secretary of family and social services to develop a program to provide for such purchases. Requires the Indiana comprehensive health insurance association to administer plan benefits for high risk individuals insured under the plan. Requires application for necessary federal Medicaid approvals, including approval for presumptive eligibility for certain pregnant women and implementation of the plan. Establishes a plan task force. Requires the health finance commission to study and report concerning several issues. Makes appropriations. Makes conforming and technical changes. ENACTED (5/24/07)-Session Adjourned
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| KS |
H.B. 2591 Kansas Medicaid reform act of 2007. The Kansas health policy authority shall request the federal centers for Medicare and Medicaid to appoint a special representative to work with the health policy authority to expedite, coordinate and implement the changes to the medicaid program in Kansas and to request additional funds. Referred to appropriations (3/22/07), No Action- Session Adjourned |
| KY |
H.C.R. 79 Would direct the legislative research commission to conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing a system of universal health insurance coverage that provides access to affordable, high-quality health care for all residents of the Commonwealth. Posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day in the House for February 27, 2007 (2/26/07)-Session Adjourned |
| ME |
L.D. 526 Would reduce the number of hours an employee of an eligible business must work per week from 20 to 10 in order to be eligible to enroll in the Dirigo Health Program. The bill also requires the Board of Directors of Dirigo Health to adopt a rule that allows an eligible business to include employees who work on a temporary, substitute or seasonal basis as eligible to enroll in the Dirigo Health Program so long as inclusion of such employees does not result in the reduction of hours or the reduction or elimination of coverage for eligible employees working more than 10 hours per week. Died in Senate (5/23/07) -Session Adjourned
L.D. 431 An Act To Enable the Dirigo Health Program to be self-administered. Passed Senate to be enacted (6/20/2007) -Session Adjourned
L.D. 773 An Act to Preserve Dirigo Choice. No Action |
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MD |
H.B 400 (S.B. 474) Would establish the Maryland Universal Health Care Plan; specifying the purposes of the Plan; establishing the State Board of Governors of the Maryland Universal Health Care Plan; specifying the membership of the Board of Governors and the terms, duties, and powers of the members of the Board of Governors; authorizing the Board of Governors to adopt specified regulations; requiring the Board of Governors to appoint an executive director; specifying eligibility requirements for membership in the Plan; etc Passed House, Senate Hearing Feb. 16, 2007, (2/2/07) No Action -Session Adjourned
H.B. 132 Would alter specified eligibility requirements for participation in the Maryland Children's Health Program; requiring the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a specified annual family contribution; requiring the Department to adopt specified regulations; establishing the Maryland Institute for Health Care Quality; establishing the Maryland Health Insurance Exchange; establishing the Board of Directors of the Exchange; etc. Passed House, Senate Hearing Feb. 16, 2007, (2/2/07) No Action -Session Adjourned
H.B. 754 Would increase Medicaid eligibility to children in families with incomes up to 400% FPL and allow children in families with incomes above 400% FPL to buy into the program. Passed House, Senate Hearing 3/29, Senate did not pass-Session Adjourned |
| MT |
S.B. 498 Would have established a group to design a universal health care system for all Montanans and to develop legislation for putting the system in place. Died in Standing Committee (4/27/07) - Session Adjourned |
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MO |
H.B. 484 Would establish the Missouri Universal Health Insurance Act; provides for comprehensive and necessary health care services for Missouri residents. Referred to Special Committee on Health Insurance, Bill currently not on a calendar (4/5/07)-Session Adjourned |
| MI |
S.B. 278 Would facilitate the purchase of health coverage and to create the Michigan helping ensure affordable and reliable treatment exchange and board which provides the determination of eligible health coverage plans and eligibility for assistance of certain enrollees. Referred to Committee of the Whole (5/8/07) |
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MN |
S.B. 14- A Constitutional Amendment, which would provided for a universal health system that provides affordable access to medical care for all residents. Referred to Rule and Administration Committees (5/21/07) - Session Adjourned
S.B. 383- Would establish a working group to design a universal health care system. Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security (1/29/07)- Session Adjourned
S.B. 460- Would establish the Minnesota Universal Health Board and health care trust fund. Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security (2/1/07) - Session Adjourned
S.B. 1963 (Companion H.B. 1873)- Would establish a health care transformation task force; modifying goals for universal coverage. - Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security - Session Adjourned
H.B. 479 (Companion S.B. 102)- Would provide for a universal health care system that provides affordable access to high quality medical care. Requires a focus on preventive care and early interventions. Referred by Chair to Health Care and Human Services Finance Division (3/27/07) - Session Adjourned
H.B. 1856 - Would establish universal health coverage, health care access portal established, dependent coverage extended, tax credits provided, prevention programs established, and money appropriated. Referred to Health and Human Services (3/8/07) - Session Adjourned
Note: Minnesota legislature did pass health reform as part of their budget process, for more information please click here |
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NH |
H.B 88 Would establish a committee to study single payer health care. Laid on table by Senate, (4/26/07) |
| NC |
H.B. 901 An act to amend the North Carolina constitution to recognize the right to health care. Referred to Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (3/20/07) |
| OR |
S.B 329 Would establish Oregon Health Fund program. Speaker of House signed (6/27/07)
S.B. 27 Would establish an Oregon Health Fund to pool state and federal expenditures for health care in Oregon and to finance treatment of defined set of essential health conditions for all Oregonians. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Oregon Health Plan Board for purpose of providing health services to all Oregon residents. Referred to Ways and Means (5/8/07) |
| PA |
H.B. 700 An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, reforming the health care system by providing for access to affordable health insurance coverage for previously uninsured individuals and for small businesses, ensuring that charitable health care institutions meet their community benefit requirements, strengthening Commonwealth oversight of health insurance rate increases, imposing certain duties on retail drug stores, hospitals and certain outpatient facilities to report price information, establishing the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers and the Health Careers Leadership Council, removing barriers to individual health care providers from practicing to the full extent of their scope of practice, education and training, imposing certain health information technology requirements on health care providers, imposing patient safety obligations on hospitals and nursing homes, prohibiting smoking in areas open to the public, food service establishments and places of employment, providing for administration, imposing penalties and making repeals.
Note: Activity in Pennsylvania has moved toward categorical bills to achieve some of the same elements proposed in H.B. 700, including the following:
H.B. 1250--"Scope of Practice" for Pharmacist Re-committed to Appropriations (11/1/07)
H.B. 1253-- "Scope of Practice" for certified registered nurse practitioners; and providing for professional liability. Passed.
H.B. 1251-- "Scope of Practice" for Physician assistants. Passed
H.B. 1254 -Passed, 1255,- Passed 1256, and 1257 -- Health care professional licensure issues. Referred to Professional Licensure (5/21/07)
H.B. 1552--Would establish the Pennsylvania Infection Control Advisory Committee
H.B. 1573-- Would establish the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers and the Health Careers Leadership Council
S.B. 968-- Would require hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, and nursing homes to assemble coommittees to develop and implement internal infection control plans. Passed Senate |
| TX |
S.B. 1911 Would establish universal health coverage. Referred to State Affairs (3/22/07)-Session Adjourned |
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WA |
S.B. 5930 Based on the Blue ribbon Commission on Health Care Cost and Access. Governor partially vetoed. (5/2/07) To read the veto message, click here-Session Adjourned
S.B. 5093 Child Health Care Expansion. Enacted. (3/13/07) To learn more, please click here -Session Adjourned |
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WI |
S.B. 40 Would create Healthy Wisconsin: You Choice, Your Plan Report approved by the Governor with partial veto on (10/26/2007)
For more information on BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin's plan to cover all children click here |
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