To require the state to establish a health benefit exchange consistent with the federal affordable care act to begin operations no later than January 1, 2014. The bill creates the health benefit exchange development board to coordinate with the administrator of the state health care authority and to develop a business plan and timeline for establishing and implementing a state-administered health benefits exchange. It also authorizes information sharing and interdepartmental agreements with the insurance commissioner, the department of health and any other state agency necessary to implement the act. (Companion: HB 1740).   Official Text and Analysis.

To modify references on providing universal access to affordable, portable insurance and reducing expenditures. Provides for establishment of the Health Insurance Exchange Board as a nonprofit, public/private partnership, by September 1, 2011, with nine members appointed by the Governor, with representatives of the following groups: two health benefits specialists, health economist or actuary, health care consumers, small business, and the HCA.

Requires the state to establish a non-profit, public/private Health Benefit Exchange consistent with the federal affordable care act to begin operations no later than January 1, 2014. The bill creates the health benefit exchange development board to coordinate with the administrator of the state health care authority and to develop a business plan and timeline for establishing and implementing a state-administered health benefits exchange. It also authorizes information sharing and interdepartmental agreements with the insurance commissioner, the department of health and any other state agency necessary to implement the act.

Requires that the exchange be established by statute. Requires the exchange to be established by July 1, 2012, as a quasigovernmental, public private partnership with a board. Limits the powers and duties of the exchange and the board to those necessary to apply for and administer grants, establish information technology infrastructure, and other administrative functions necessary to begin operating the exchange by January 1, 2014. Prohibits the exchange and the board from beginning exchange operations or making substantive policy decisions unless specifically authorized to do so by statute. Prohibits the exchange or the board from being established until all of the members of the board are appointed. Requires the exchange and the board, once established, to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Health Care Authority with respect to establishing the exchange. This striking amendment also removes, modifies, and clairifies many duties assigned to the exchange in the original bill.

To offer a striking amendment to the Health Care Exchange Act by removing several provisions from the underlying bill. The amendment also establishes the exchange as a public-private partnership separate and distinct from the state, exercising functions delineated by the act (the underlying bill establishes the exchange Board as a nonprofit public-private partnership), among other things.

To change the date by which the Legislature must send board nominations to the Governor from August 1, 2011, to October 1, 2011. Changes the date by which the Government must make board appointments from October 1, 2011, to December 15, 2011. Changes the date on which the powers and duties of the Health Care Authority with respect to establishing the exchange are transferred to the board from January 1, 2012, to March 15, 2012.

To establish a Health Benefit Exchange with a board to be appointed by December 15, 2011, which will take over planning duties from the Health Care Authority on March 15, 2012.

Senate concurred with the House amendments.