Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends existing law relating to the Healthcare Group of Arizona, a program that provides health insurance to small business employees.

Highlights:

-Eliminates the requirement that a business wait 180 days before enrolling in the program (Sec. 1). -Requires that businesses have at least two employees in order to be eligible for the program (Sec. 1). -Requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to set premiums to cover the medical and administrative costs, which must be certified by an independent actuary (Sec. 1). -Allows the AHCCCS to adjust premiums for health status-related factors, as long as they do not increase by more than 60 percent above the base community rate that an individual with a similar plan and similar demographic characteristics would pay (Sec. 1). -Prohibits the AHCCCS from reimbursing any hospital that does not contract with the program, except for emergency medical services and post-stabilization services (Sec. 1). -Requires the AHCCCS to submit to the Joint Legislative Budget quarterly reports on the financial condition of the program, an annual fiscal audit, and an analysis that is used to determine premiums (Sec. 1). -Limits employer group enrollment growth to no more than ten percent per year (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text