S6841-2011 Actions

• May 2, 2012: SUBSTITUTED BY A9225
• Apr 30, 2012: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• Apr 26, 2012: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• Apr 25, 2012: 1ST REPORT CAL.570
• Mar 28, 2012: REFERRED TO INSURANCE

S6841-2011 Meetings

S6841-2011 Calendars

S6841-2011 Votes

S6841-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S6841

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend chapter 447 of the laws of 2009, amending the insurance law
relating to a health insurance demonstration program for independent
workers, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to ensure that independent
workers continue to have access to group health insurance coverage.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill amend Chapter 447 of the
Laws of 2009, which would extend, for one year, the demonstration
program that authorized the Superintendent to approve an eligible
insurance company to provide group health insurance coverage to
independent workers.

JUSTIFICATION:
In 2009, the New York State Legislature authorized a health insurance
demonstration program for independent workers. Through this
authorization, Freelancers Insurance Company (FIC) was formed to
provide independent workers with high-quality, affordable, and
portable health benefits. FIC provides stable and sustainable
benefits to 25,000 of New York's vulnerable workers. In its role as
New York's only social-purpose insurer, it develops innovative cost
containment strategies that promote better quality care at more
affordable premiums than anything else available on the market.

FIC insures vulnerable New Yorkers; independent workers are far more
likely to be uninsured than traditional employees and they often have
no affordable health insurance options.
Two-thirds of FIC's subscribers were previously uninsured or on COBRA,
most earn under $50,000 per year, and no one is denied coverage based
on their medical history. Coverage is nearly one-third cheaper than
comparable plans in the individual insurance market.

While the Affordable Care Act promises to expand insurance options for
many New Yorkers, FIC will continue to play a crucial role for working
New Yorkers well beyond 2014.
Particularly for independent workers who will not benefit from
subsidies, FIC offers premiums well below the prices available on the
individual market, bringing health insurance within reach for many
working families. Extending the demonstration program beyond 2013
will ensure that those New Yorkers currently covered under FIC will
be able to keep their coverage if they wish to do so.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Program established by A.7949-A (Silver)/S.4602-A (Breslin), Chapter
447 of the Laws of 2009

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:


Immediately.

S6841-2011 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                         6841
 I N  SENATE
 March 28, 2012
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  HANNON, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed,
 and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
 

AN ACT to amend chapter 447 of the laws of 2009, amending the  insurance
 law relating to a health insurance demonstration program for independ
 ent workers, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section 1.

Section 2 of chapter 447 of the laws of 2009, amending  the
 insurance  law  relating to a health insurance demonstration program for
 independent workers, is amended to read as follows:

 

S 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed December 31, [2013] 2014.
 

S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD14199-01-2

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