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House passes two bills on medical-plan renewals and legislative entities' insurance procurement; both pass with one abstention
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Summary
The House approved Project of the House No. 29 and Project of the House No. 43 on Feb. 13 after committee discussion. The measures passed the final recorded vote by 46–0 with one abstention (for each bill). Sponsors said the bills are intended to stabilize coverage options and allow certain legislative entities to procure insurance directly.
The House approved two calendar items on Feb. 13: Project of the House No. 29 and Project of the House No. 43. Both measures were the subject of committee presentations and floor discussion in the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Commerce; final recorded votes showed both bills passed 46–0 with one abstention.
Representative Jordi Navarro Suárez, speaking for the committee, described Project 43 as a measure intended to permit certain individual medical-plan products to renew enrollment without repeated reapplication under a transitional regulatory approach so that beneficiaries maintain continuity of coverage. He told colleagues the committee record included testimony from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and consumer groups that the change would protect access to plans for island residents.
Project 29, as described on the floor, concerns insurance procurement for legislative offices and would allow legislative agencies greater flexibility to obtain property and liability insurance directly rather than through centralized government procurement channels. Supporters said the change was meant to maximize resources for the legislative entities; witnesses from both the Office of the Comptroller and the Office of the Ombudsman for Citizens testified in prior committee sessions that independent procurement authority could reduce costs, according to floor summaries.
Why it matters: Supporters said both bills are aimed at continuity of insurance coverage (Project 43) and cost-effectiveness for legislative entities (Project 29). The committee reported that regulatory and insurance-sector witnesses had recommended the measures.
Key facts - Project of the House No. 43: described as easing renewals for certain individual medical-plan products; committee testimony cited consumer-protection and cost concerns. Final recorded vote: 46–0 with one abstention. - Project of the House No. 29: described as clarifying procurement authority for legislative agencies' insurance; final recorded vote: 46–0 with one abstention.
Outcome and next steps Both measures passed final legislative passage and will follow the standard process for transmission to the other legislative chamber and, if approved there, to the governor. Committee reports on each measure were entered into the record and referenced on the floor.
