AB 530

On March 23, 2010, the federal government enacted the Patient Protection and

Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which, among other things, imposes requirements and

limitations on health insurance policies and health plans, requires the creation of

state-based health insurance exchanges through which individuals and small

employers can purchase insurance, changes the income eligibility criteria for

Medicaid (known as Medical Assistance in this state), and creates incentives for

improving access to health care. This bill requires agencies of the state to submit

annually to the legislature a report that describes the cost, since March 23, 2010, to

that agency of implementing PPACA and any federal moneys received after March

23, 2010, related to implementing PPACA, with the first report due by September 1,

2012. In addition, certain agencies must include certain information in their annual

reports for that year and in an analysis of any change in the information after March

23, 2010. The Department of Health Services must include the average spending per

recipient for Medical Assistance programs and the spending for Medical Assistance

programs as a percentage of the state budget. The Department of Safety and

Professional Services shall include the number of physicians practicing in the state.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance must include the number of insurance

companies that offer health care plans in the state. The bill also requires the

commissioner of insurance to include in his or her annual report to the legislature

a review of the effect the implementation of PPACA has on rates of health care plans

that are not issued through a governmental body. That review must include the

average rate for each health care plan.