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A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a public health insurance option, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-194| Senate 
| Updated: 1/23/2017
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (13)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act or the CHOICE Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer, throughout the United States, a public health insurance option that provides value, choice, competition, and the stability of affordable, high-quality coverage. Plans under the public health insurance option must be qualified health plans and must include plans with bronze, silver, and gold tier benefits. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) States may establish advisory councils to provide recommendations to HHS on the operations and policies of the public health insurance option. HHS must collect data to establish rates for premiums and health care provider reimbursement and for other purposes. Premium rates for public health insurance option plans must: (1) fully finance administrative costs and provided health benefits, and (2) include a contingency margin. HHS must negotiate rates for health care providers and prescription drugs under the public health insurance option. If HHS is unable to reach a negotiated agreement on rates, HHS must use Medicare rates. States may not tax federal receipts or disbursements attributable to the operation of the public health insurance option. HHS must establish conditions for participation by health care providers in the public health insurance option. A provider participating in Medicare or Medicaid is a participant in the public health insurance option unless the provider opts out.
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Timeline
Jan 23, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-635
Introduced in House
  • January 23, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-635
    Introduced in House

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 115-635: To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a public health insurance option, and for other purposes.
Advisory bodiesHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth information and medical recordsHealth programs administration and fundingMedicaidMedicarePrescription drugsPublic contracts and procurementState and local government operations

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a public health insurance option, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-194| Senate 
| Updated: 1/23/2017
Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act or the CHOICE Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer, throughout the United States, a public health insurance option that provides value, choice, competition, and the stability of affordable, high-quality coverage. Plans under the public health insurance option must be qualified health plans and must include plans with bronze, silver, and gold tier benefits. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) States may establish advisory councils to provide recommendations to HHS on the operations and policies of the public health insurance option. HHS must collect data to establish rates for premiums and health care provider reimbursement and for other purposes. Premium rates for public health insurance option plans must: (1) fully finance administrative costs and provided health benefits, and (2) include a contingency margin. HHS must negotiate rates for health care providers and prescription drugs under the public health insurance option. If HHS is unable to reach a negotiated agreement on rates, HHS must use Medicare rates. States may not tax federal receipts or disbursements attributable to the operation of the public health insurance option. HHS must establish conditions for participation by health care providers in the public health insurance option. A provider participating in Medicare or Medicaid is a participant in the public health insurance option unless the provider opts out.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 23, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-635
Introduced in House
  • January 23, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-635
    Introduced in House
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (13)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 115-635: To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a public health insurance option, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth information and medical recordsHealth programs administration and fundingMedicaidMedicarePrescription drugsPublic contracts and procurementState and local government operations