BILL NUMBER: SBX1 3	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hernandez

                        FEBRUARY 5, 2013

   An act relating to health care coverage.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 3, as introduced, Hernandez. Health care coverage: bridge plan.

   Existing law, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act, requires each state to, by January 1, 2014, establish an
American Health Benefit Exchange that makes available qualified
health plans to qualified individuals and small employers.
   Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is
administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and
under which qualified low-income persons receive health care
benefits. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act
of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care
service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care. Existing law
also provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department
of Insurance.
   Under existing law, carriers that sell any products outside the
California Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) are required to fairly
and affirmatively offer, market, and sell all products made available
to individuals or small employers in the Exchange to individuals or
small employers, respectively, purchasing coverage outside the
Exchange.
   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would create a bridge option to allow low-cost
health coverage to be provided to individuals within the California
Health Benefit Exchange.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to create a bridge option to allow low-cost health
coverage to be provided to individuals within the California Health
Benefit Exchange.