Bill: HB 3226, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House Insurance

Companion Bill

SB 2087

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Negative Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Larry Phillips

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the Temporary Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

HB 3226 would amend the Insurance Code to allow the Commissioner of Insurance to use dollars from the Healthy Texas Small Employer Premium Stabilization Fund to apply for federal funds and establish and administer a temporary health insurance risk pool to assist in the care of high risk, expensive patients and reduce premiums for health plan issuers.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill violates our free market and limited government principles by authorizing the creation of a new government administered insurance subsidy program. For these reasons, we oppose HB 3226.

In addition, we would like to note that New Mexico is in the process of phasing out a similar program due to its unforeseen financial consequences. 

Organizations Supporting

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Health Plans

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 09:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb3226?print_view=true