Modifies current law concerning health insurance partnerships to include employers who do not currently offer health insurance, regardless of the wages of the employees. This act eliminates the requirement that employers allow employees to pay their share of the health benefit plan with pretax dollars earned. This act also allows employers to limit an employee’s choice of coverage offered through the partnership plans. This act is subject to available funding from state appropriations and the federal government.   Official Text and Analysis.

Restores the family income threshold to qualify for a subsidy in the Health Insurance Partnership to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

To allow the Health Insurance Partnership to restrict an enrollee's choice of coverage for only the start up phase of the Partnership's operation (restoring the current limitation on that authority).

To expand eligibility for the Health Insurance Partnership by eliminating low wage worker requirements for small employers.

To remove the amendment to the underlying statute and retain the language that says an employer and the partnership may not limit an employee's choice of coverage among the health benefit plans offered through the partnership.

To change eligibility for the small employers that can participate in the Health Insurance Partnership program: Adds a requirement that employers must not have offered insurance for at least six months. Removes the strike out and retains the requirement that employers have at least 50% of their employees as low-wage workers.

House concurred with the Senate amendments.