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After heated debate, House narrowly approves small-business health plan advisory council
Summary
The House approved HB 122 to create an advisory council charged with producing an actuarially sound small-business health plan; lawmakers debated governance, executive appointments and potential costs before the measure passed 38-35.
The Utah House passed House Bill 122 on Feb. 23, 2006, to establish a Small Business Health Plan advisory council tasked with delivering an actuarially sound business plan for a small-business health insurance option.
Representative Mascaro, sponsor, said the council would include private-industry representation (small business and insurance), ex officio public officials and a legislative representative from the House and Senate to present findings to the Business and Labor Committee in the 2007 session. Mascaro said the council is intended to produce not just study findings but a practical plan for insurers, employers and policymakers to evaluate.
Opponents criticized the proposed membership, saying the governor and executive-branch appointees would hold most voting power and that the initiative effectively codifies an executive-led working group. Representative Dunnegan and others noted that many of the council members would be executive-branch appointees and asked which members would have voting rights; the sponsor said the legislative members would act as liaisons but not be voting members in all configurations.
Cost and funding questions were raised. Representative Dunnegan cited actuaries’ informal estimates that producing an actuarial study could cost roughly $50,000, while industry representatives suggested smaller voluntary contributions; the sponsor said industry and the governor’s office indicated willingness to help fund analytical work.
After a roll-call division and extended debate, the House approved the second-substitute HB 122 by a recorded vote of 38 yes to 35 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.
