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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 commitment in the Appropriations Act). Sponsors said the appropriation supports continued operation of the HIPPOOL and allows the state to synchronize underwriting and open‑enrollment provisions with federal precedent and private‑market practices so carriers and consumers can transition smoothly.
A substantial portion of floor time focused on an amendment that would remove language dedicating a portion of the state cigarette tax to the pool (earmarking) and instead leave the funding as an ongoing appropriation subject to the annual budget process. Supporters of removing the earmark said it makes the fund subject to legislative discretion and avoids locking a specific revenue source into statute. Opponents argued earmarking matches actuarial costs with a stable revenue stream and preserves long‑term commitment to covered individuals.
After extended debate and technical drafting adjustments (including deletion and renumbering of multiple lines and sections across the substitute), the House voted to adopt the amendment, returning the bill to the sponsor in amended form. Sponsors emphasized the bill remains intended to insure those who are uninsurable in the private market while balancing affordability by asking enrollees to pay premiums higher than typical market rates.
Next steps: the amended bill was processed on the floor for further transmittal actions; members asked staff to confirm appropriation treatment in the Appropriations Act and to provide clarifications to implementation authorities.
