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House amends HIPPOOL open‑enrollment bill, debates earmarking of tobacco revenue for $5M funding
Summary
House debate on Senate Bill 60 focused on continuing the state health‑insurance pool for high‑risk individuals and whether to earmark cigarette‑tax revenue for a $5 million ongoing appropriation; representatives argued both for stable long‑term funding and for preserving annual budgetary oversight.
Sponsors described Senate Bill 60 as a compromise to maintain coverage for the "sickest of the sick" through the state health insurance pool (HIPPOOL) while adding open‑enrollment guarantees and certificates of guaranteed insurability for people who cannot obtain private coverage. Lieutenant Governor Ken Howard and staff were present to answer technical questions during floor debate.
The bill includes an appropriation figure of $5,000,000 (discussed as both an immediate and ongoing funding…
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