I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2900
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 1, 2013
Mr. Broun of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, Natural Resources, the Judiciary, House Administration, Appropriations, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010; to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the percentage floor on medical expense deductions, expand the use of tax-preferred health care accounts, and establish a charity care credit; to amend the Social Security Act to create a Medicare Premium Assistance Program, reform EMTALA requirements, and to replace the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance program with a block grant to the States; to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual and group health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce; and for other purposes.
Short title; table of contents; construction
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the Offering Patients True
Individualized Options Now Act of 2013
or the
OPTION Act of
2013
.
Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; construction.
Title I—Repeal of PPACA and HCERA
Sec. 101. Repeal of PPACA and HCERA.
Title II—Health Care Tax Reform
Subtitle A—HSA Reform
Sec. 201. Repeal of high deductible health plan requirement.
Sec. 202. Increase in deductible HSA contribution limitations.
Sec. 203. Medicare eligible individuals eligible to contribute to HSA.
Sec. 204. HSA Rollover to Medicare Advantage MSA.
Sec. 205. Repeal of additional tax on distributions not used for qualified medical expenses.
Subtitle B—Other Health Care Tax Reform
Sec. 206. Elimination of 10-percent floor on medical expense deductions.
Sec. 207. Repeal of prescribed drug limitation on certain tax benefits for medical expenses.
Sec. 208. Repeal of 2-percent miscellaneous itemized deduction floor for medical expense deductions.
Sec. 209. Charity care credit.
Sec. 210. Credit for contributions made for purpose of providing medical care to the indigent.
Sec. 211. COBRA continuation coverage extended.
Sec. 212. HSA charitable contributions.
Title III—Medicare Premium Assistance Program
Sec. 301. Replacement of Medicare part A entitlement with Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program.
Sec. 302. Gradual phasing out of CMS and transfer of functions to Department of the Treasury.
Title IV—EMTALA Reforms
Sec. 401. EMTALA reforms.
Title V—Cooperative Governing of Individual and Group Health Insurance Coverage
Sec. 501. Cooperative governing of individual and group health insurance coverage.
Sec. 502. Continuing State authority.
Title VI—State Health Flexibility
Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Health grants to the States for health care services to indigent individuals.
Sec. 603. Repeal of Federal requirements of Medicaid and CHIP.
Sec. 604. Severability.
Sec. 605. Effective date.
Construction
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude or prohibit a health care provider or health insurance issuer from publicly disclosing any pricing of services provided or covered.
Repeal of PPACA and HCERA
Repeal of PPACA and HCERA
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 are each repealed, effective as of the respective date of enactment of each such Act, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Acts are restored or revived as if such Acts had not been enacted.
Health Care Tax Reform
HSA Reform
Repeal of high deductible health plan requirement
In general
Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as subsections (c) through (g), respectively.
Conforming amendments
Subsection (a) of section 223 of such Code is amended to read as follows:
Deduction allowed
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for a taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a health savings account of such individual.
.
Subsection (b) of section 223 of such Code is amended by striking paragraph (8).
Subparagraph (A) of section 223(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1)) is amended—
by striking
subsection (f)(5)
and inserting subsection
(e)(5)
, and
in clause (ii)—
by
striking the sum of—
and all that follows and inserting
the dollar amount in effect under subsection (b)(1).
.
Section 223(f)(1)
of such Code (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1)) is amended by striking
Each dollar amount in subsections (b)(2) and (c)(2)(A)
and
inserting In the case of a taxable year beginning after December 31,
2010, each dollar amount in subsection (b)(1)
.
Section 26(b)(U)
of such Code is amended by striking section 223(f)(4)
and
inserting section 223(e)(4)
.
Sections 35(g)(3),
220(f)(5)(A), 848(e)(1)(v), 4973(a)(5), and 6051(a)(12) of such Code are each
amended by striking section 223(d)
each place it appears and
inserting section 223(c)
.
Section 106(d)(1) of such Code is amended—
by striking
who is an eligible individual (as defined in section 223(c)(1))
,
and
by striking
section 223(d)
and inserting section
223(c)
.
Section 408(d)(9) of such Code is amended—
in subparagraph
(A) by striking who is an eligible individual (as defined in section
223(c)) and
, and
in subparagraph
(C) by striking computed on the basis of the type of coverage under the
high deductible health plan covering the individual at the time of the
qualified HSA funding distribution
.
Section 877A(g)(6)
of such Code is amended by striking 223(f)(4)
and inserting
223(e)(4)
.
Section 4973(g) of such Code is amended—
by striking
section 223(d)
and inserting section
223(c)
,
in paragraph (2),
by striking section 223(f)(2)
and inserting section
223(e)(2)
, and
by striking
section 223(f)(3)
and inserting section
223(e)(3)
.
Section 4975 of such Code is amended—
in subsection (c)(6)—
by
striking section 223(d)
and inserting section
223(c)
, and
by
striking section 223(e)(2)
and inserting section
223(d)(2)
, and
in subsection
(e)(1)(E), by striking section 223(d)
and inserting
section 223(c)
.
Section
6693(a)(2)(C) of such Code is amended by striking section 223(h)
and inserting section 223(g)
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Increase in deductible HSA contribution limitations
In general
Paragraph (1) of
section 223(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
the sum of the monthly
and all that follows through
eligible individual
and inserting $10,000 ($20,000 in the
case of a joint return)
.
Conforming amendments
Subsection (b) of such Code is amended by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (5) and by redesignating paragraphs (4), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively.
Paragraph (2) of section 223(b) of such Code (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) is amended by striking the last sentence.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Medicare eligible individuals eligible to contribute to HSA
Subsection (b) of section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (7).
Paragraph (1) of section 223(c) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Special rule for individuals entitled to benefits under medicare
In the case of an individual—
who is entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and
with respect to whom a health savings account is established in a month before the first month such individual is entitled to such benefits,
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
HSA Rollover to Medicare Advantage MSA
In general
Paragraph (2) of
section 138(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
or
at the end of subparagraph (A), by adding or
at the end of subparagraph (C), and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
a HSA rollover contribution described in subsection (d)(5),
.
HSA rollover contribution
Subsection (c) of section 138 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Rollover contribution
An amount is described in this paragraph as a rollover contribution if it meets the requirement of subparagraphs (A) and (B).
In general
The requirements of this subparagraph are met in the case of an amount paid or distributed from a health savings to the account beneficiary to the extent the amount is received is paid into a Medicare Advantage MSA of such beneficiary not later than the 60th day after the day on which the beneficiary receives the payment or distribution.
Limitation
This paragraph shall not apply to any amount described in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a health savings account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending on the day of such receipt, such individual received any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from a health savings account which was not includible in the individual’s gross income because of the application of section 223(f)(5)(A).
.
Conforming amendment
Subparagraph (A) of section 223(f)(5) of such Code is
amended by inserting or Medicare Advantage MSA
after into
a health savings account
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Repeal of additional tax on distributions not used for qualified medical expenses
In general
Subsection (f) of section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (4) and redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) and paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively.
Conforming amendments
Paragraph (2) of section 25(b) of such Code is amended by striking subparagraph (U) and by redesignating subparagraphs (V), (W), and (X) as subparagraphs (U), (V), and (W).
Subparagraph (C) of section 106(e)(4) of
such Code is amended by striking 223(f)(5)
and inserting
223(f)(4)
.
Paragraph (6) of
section 877A(g) of such Code is amended by striking
223(f)(4),
.
Paragraph (1) of section 4973(g) of such
Code is amended by striking 223(f)(5)
and inserting
223(f)(4)
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Other Health Care Tax Reform
Elimination of 10-percent floor on medical expense deductions
In general
Subsection (a) of
section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
, to the extent that such expenses exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross
income
.
Conforming amendment
Paragraph (1) of section 56(b) of such Code is amended by striking subparagraph (B).
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Repeal of prescribed drug limitation on certain tax benefits for medical expenses
Deduction for medical expenses
In general
Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (b).
Conforming amendment
Subsection (d) of section 213 of such Code is amended by striking paragraph (3).
Treatment of reimbursements under accident or health plans
Section 106 of such Code is amended by striking subsection (f).
Health savings accounts
Subparagraph (A) of section 223(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence thereof.
Archer MSAs
Subparagraph (A) of section 220(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence thereof.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Repeal of 2-percent miscellaneous itemized deduction floor for medical expense deductions
In general
Subsection (b) of section 67 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (5).
Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the December 31, 2012.
Charity care credit
In general
Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section:
Charity care credit
Allowance of credit
In the case of a physician, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for a taxable year the amount determined in accordance with the following table:
| If the physician has provided during such taxable year: | The
amount of the credit is: |
| At least 25 but less than 30 qualified hours of charity care | $2,000. |
| At least 30 but less than 35 qualified hours of charity care | $2,400. |
| At least 35 but less than 40 qualified hours of charity care | $2,800. |
| At least 40 but less than 45 qualified hours of charity care | $3,200. |
| At least 45 but less than 50 qualified hours of charity care | $3,600. |
| At least 50 but less than 55 qualified hours of charity care | $4,000. |
| At least 55 but less than 60 qualified hours of charity care | $4,400. |
| At least 60 but less than 65 qualified hours of charity care | $4,800. |
| At least 65 but less than 70 qualified hours of charity care | $5,200. |
| At least 70 but less than 75 qualified hours of charity care | $5,600. |
| At least 75 but less than 80 qualified hours of charity care | $6,000. |
| At least 80 but less than 85 qualified hours of charity care | $6,400. |
| At least 85 but less than 90 qualified hours of charity care | $6,800. |
| At least 90 but less than 95 qualified hours of charity care | $7,200. |
| At least 95 but less than 100 qualified hours of charity care | $7,600. |
| At least 100 hours of charity care | $8,000. |
Qualified hours of charity care
For purposes of this section—
Qualified hours of charity care
The term qualified hours of charity care means the hours that a physician provides medical care (as defined in section 213(d)(1)(A)) on a volunteer or pro bono basis.
Physician
The term physician has the meaning given to such term in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)).
.
Conforming amendment
The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:
Sec. 25E. Charity care credit.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Credit for contributions made for purpose of providing medical care to the indigent
In general
Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
Contributions for providing medical care to the indigent
In general
There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the indigent care contributions made by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
Indigent care contribution
For purposes of this section, the term indigent care contribution means any contribution or gift of money or other property to or for the use of any person if such contribution or gift is used (or the proceeds from which are used) by such person for the purpose of providing medical care to indigent individuals in the United States.
Valuation and substantiation of contributions, etc
Rules similar to the rules of subsections (e) and (f) of section 170 shall apply for purposes of this section.
Application with other credits
Business credit treated as part of general business credit
So much of the credit which would be allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined without regard to this subsection) that is attributable to indigent care contributions made by—
any corporation or partnership, or
any other person if such contribution was made in connection with a trade or business carried on by such person,
Personal credit
For purposes of this title, the credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined after application of paragraph (1)) shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart A for such taxable year.
Denial of double benefit
The amount of any deduction or other credit allowable under this chapter for any indigent care contribution shall be reduced by the amount of credit allowable under this section for such contribution.
.
Conforming amendments
Section 38(b) of such Code is amended by
striking plus
at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting , plus
, and by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
the portion of the credit described in section 30E(d)(1) (relating to credit for contributions for providing medical care to the indigent).
.
Section
38(c)(4)(B) of such Code is amended by striking and
at the end
of clause (viii), by striking the period at the end of clause (ix) and
inserting , and
, and by adding at the end the following new
clause:
the portion of the credit described in section 30E(d)(1) (relating to credit for contributions for providing medical care to the indigent).
.
The table of sections for subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to contributions made after the date of the enactment of this Act.
COBRA continuation coverage extended
Under IRC
Subparagraph (B) of section 4980B(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking clauses (i) and (v) and by redesignating clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively.
Under ERISA
Paragraph (2) of section 602 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 2009 (29 U.S.C. 1162) is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (E) and by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively.
Under PHSA
Paragraph (2) of section 2202(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300bb–2(2)) is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (E) and by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to group health plans, and health insurance coverage offered in connection with group health plans, for plan years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
HSA charitable contributions
In general
Subsection (f) of section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Distributions for charitable purposes
For purposes of this subsection—
In general
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any qualified charitable distributions with respect to a taxpayer made during any taxable year.
Qualified charitable distribution
For purposes of this paragraph, the term qualified charitable distribution means any distribution from a health savings account which is made directly by the trustee to an organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A) (other than any organization described in section 509(a)(3) or any fund or account described in section 4966(d)(2)). A distribution shall be treated as a qualified charitable distribution only to the extent that the distribution would be includible in gross income without regard to subparagraph (A).
Contributions must be otherwise deductible
For purposes of this paragraph, a distribution to an organization described in subparagraph (B) shall be treated as a qualified charitable distribution only if a deduction for the entire distribution would be allowable under section 170 (determined without regard to subsection (b) thereof and this paragraph).
Denial of deduction
Qualified charitable distributions which are not includible in gross income pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be taken into account in determining the deduction under section 170.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Medicare Premium Assistance Program
Replacement of Medicare part A entitlement with Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program
In general
Section 226 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
Replacement of entitlement with premium assistance program
In general
Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, beginning the first January 1 after the date of the enactment of the Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now Act of 2013, the Secretary shall establish procedures under which—
in the case of an individual who, but for the application of this paragraph, would otherwise become entitled under subsection (a) on or after such January 1 to benefits under part A of title XVIII, subject to paragraph (4), the individual shall in lieu of such entitlement be automatically enrolled in the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program established under subsection (l); and
in the case of an individual who before such January 1 is entitled under subsection (a) to benefits under part A of title XVIII, the individual may in lieu of such entitlement elect on or after such January 1 to enroll in the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program established under subsection (l).
Treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
An individual who is enrolled under the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program under paragraph (1) shall not be treated as entitled to benefits under title XVIII for purposes of section 223(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Ineligibility for part B or D benefits
An individual shall not be eligible for benefits under part B or D of title XVIII once the individual is enrolled in the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program under paragraph (1).
Opt out
In general
Any individual who is otherwise eligible for automatic enrollment in the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program under paragraph (1)(A) may elect (in such form and manner as may be specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to not be so enrolled.
Individuals electing to opt out not treated as entitled to Medicare benefits
In the case of an individual who makes an election under subparagraph (A)—
such individual shall not be eligible for benefits under part A of title XVIII; and
the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to such individual in the same manner as such paragraphs apply to an individual enrolled under the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program under paragraph (1).
Medicare Reform Premium Assistance
Establishment of premium assistance program
The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program (in this subsection referred to as the premium assistance program) consistent with this subsection.
Automatic enrollment
An individual otherwise entitled under subsection (a) to benefits under part A of title XVIII shall, subject to subsection (k)(4), be enrolled in the premium assistance program for the period during which such individual would otherwise be so entitled to benefits.
Amount of premium assistance
In general
Subject to clause (ii), for each year that an individual is enrolled in the premium assistance program, the Secretary shall provide premium assistance to such individual in an amount determined by the Secretary that is based on the geographic location of the individual and the cost of applicable health insurance coverage and benefits in such area.
Computation of premium assistance amounts
The amount of premium assistance provided to an individual located in a geographic area for a year shall be computed at 100 percent of the sum of the median premium and median deductible payment for such year for all health insurance coverage offered by health insurance issuers in the individual market serving such area.
Permissible use of premium assistance
Premium assistance under paragraph (3) may be used only for the following purposes:
For payment of premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing for enrollment of such individual for health insurance coverage offered by health insurance issuers in the individual market.
As a contribution into a MSA plan established by such individual, as defined in section 138(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
MSA deposits
The amount of the premium assistance received by an individual under this subsection shall be deposited, on behalf of such individual, into the MSA plan of such individual.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the first January 1 after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Gradual phasing out of CMS and transfer of functions to Department of the Treasury
In general
Beginning on January 1 of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide for the gradual phasing out over a period (not to exceed 10 years) of the Office of the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and such Centers and the transfer of the duties and responsibilities of such Administrator and Centers to such an office and official within the Department of the Treasury as the Secretary of the Treasury shall specify.
References
Any reference in law to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or to such Centers, is deemed to include a reference to such official and office, respectively, within the Department of the Treasury as is specified under subsection (a).
EMTALA Reforms
EMTALA reforms
Use of qualified emergency department personnel in performing initial screening
Subsection (a) of section 1867 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd) is amended—
by designating the
sentence beginning with In the case of
as paragraph (1), with
the heading In
general.—
and appropriate indentation; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Permitting application of ER triage
In general
The requirement of paragraph (1) that a hospital conduct an appropriate medical screening examination of an individual is deemed to be satisfied if a qualified emergency screener (as defined in subparagraph (B)) performs a preliminary triage-type screening in which the personnel—
assesses the nature and extent of the individual’s illness or injury; and
determines, based on such assessment, that an emergency medical condition does not exist.
Qualified emergency screener defined
In this paragraph, the term qualified emergency screener means a physician, licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, qualified emergency medical technician, or other individual with basic, health care education that meets standards specified by the Secretary as being sufficient to perform the screening described in subparagraph (A).
.
Revision of emergency medical condition definition
Subsection (e)(1)(A) of such section is amended to read as follows:
a medical condition manifesting itself by symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) and with an onset or of a course such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to pose an immediate risk to life or long-term health of the individual (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the life or long-term health of the woman or her unborn child); or
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to individuals who come to an emergency room on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Cooperative Governing of Individual and Group Health Insurance Coverage
Cooperative governing of individual and group health insurance coverage
In general
Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new part:
Cooperative Governing of Individual and Group Health Insurance Coverage
Definitions
In this part:
Primary state
The term primary State means, with respect to individual or group health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, the State designated by the issuer as the State whose covered laws shall govern the health insurance issuer in the sale of such coverage under this part. An issuer, with respect to a particular policy, may only designate one such State as its primary State with respect to all such coverage it offers. Such an issuer may not change the designated primary State with respect to individual or group health insurance coverage once the policy is issued, except that such a change may be made upon renewal of the policy. With respect to such designated State, the issuer is deemed to be doing business in that State.
Secondary state
The term secondary State means, with respect to individual or group health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, any State that is not the primary State. In the case of a health insurance issuer that is selling a policy in, or to a resident of, a secondary State, the issuer is deemed to be doing business in that secondary State.
Health insurance issuer
The term health insurance issuer has the meaning given such term in section 2791(b)(2), except that such an issuer must be licensed in the primary State and be qualified to sell individual health insurance coverage in that State.
Individual health insurance coverage
The term individual health insurance coverage means health insurance coverage offered in the individual market, as defined in section 2791(e)(1).
Group health insurance coverage
The term group health insurance coverage has the meaning given such term in 2791(b)(4).
Applicable state authority
The term applicable State authority means, with respect to a health insurance issuer in a State, the State insurance commissioner or official or officials designated by the State to enforce the requirements of this title for the State with respect to the issuer.
Hazardous financial condition
The term hazardous financial condition means that, based on its present or reasonably anticipated financial condition, a health insurance issuer is unlikely to be able—
to meet obligations to policyholders with respect to known claims and reasonably anticipated claims; or
to pay other obligations in the normal course of business.
Covered laws
In general
The term covered laws means the laws, rules, regulations, agreements, and orders governing the insurance business pertaining to—
individual or group health insurance coverage issued by a health insurance issuer;
the offer, sale, rating (including medical underwriting), renewal, and issuance of individual or group health insurance coverage to an individual;
the provision to an individual in relation to individual or group health insurance coverage of health care and insurance related services;
the provision to an individual in relation to individual or group health insurance coverage of management, operations, and investment activities of a health insurance issuer; and
the provision to an individual in relation to individual or group health insurance coverage of loss control and claims administration for a health insurance issuer with respect to liability for which the issuer provides insurance.
Exception
Such term does not include any law, rule, regulation, agreement, or order governing the use of care or cost management techniques, including any requirement related to provider contracting, network access or adequacy, health care data collection, or quality assurance.
State
The term State means the 50 States and includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Unfair claims settlement practices
The term unfair claims settlement practices means only the following practices:
Knowingly misrepresenting to claimants and insured individuals relevant facts or policy provisions relating to coverage at issue.
Failing to acknowledge with reasonable promptness pertinent communications with respect to claims arising under policies.
Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and settlement of claims arising under policies.
Failing to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of claims submitted in which liability has become reasonably clear.
Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation.
Failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable period of time after having completed an investigation related to those claims.
A pattern or practice of compelling insured individuals or their beneficiaries to institute suits to recover amounts due under its policies by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in suits brought by them.
A pattern or practice of attempting to settle or settling claims for less than the amount that a reasonable person would believe the insured individual or his or her beneficiary was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application.
Attempting to settle or settling claims on the basis of an application that was materially altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of, the insured.
Failing to provide forms necessary to present claims within 15 calendar days of a requests with reasonable explanations regarding their use.
Attempting to cancel a policy in less time than that prescribed in the policy or by the law of the primary State.
Fraud and abuse
The term fraud and abuse means an act or omission committed by a person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud, commits, or conceals any material information concerning, one or more of the following:
Presenting, causing to be presented or preparing with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, a reinsurer, broker or its agent, false information as part of, in support of or concerning a fact material to one or more of the following:
An application for the issuance or renewal of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract.
The rating of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract.
A claim for payment or benefit pursuant to an insurance policy or reinsurance contract.
Premiums paid on an insurance policy or reinsurance contract.
Payments made in accordance with the terms of an insurance policy or reinsurance contract.
A document filed with the commissioner or the chief insurance regulatory official of another jurisdiction.
The financial condition of an insurer or reinsurer.
The formation, acquisition, merger, reconsolidation, dissolution or withdrawal from one or more lines of insurance or reinsurance in all or part of a State by an insurer or reinsurer.
The issuance of written evidence of insurance.
The reinstatement of an insurance policy.
Solicitation or acceptance of new or renewal insurance risks on behalf of an insurer reinsurer or other person engaged in the business of insurance by a person who knows or should know that the insurer or other person responsible for the risk is insolvent at the time of the transaction.
Transaction of the business of insurance in violation of laws requiring a license, certificate of authority or other legal authority for the transaction of the business of insurance.
Attempt to commit, aiding or abetting in the commission of, or conspiracy to commit the acts or omissions specified in this paragraph.
Application of law
In general
The covered laws of the primary State shall apply to individual and group health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the primary State and in any secondary State, but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this section with respect to the offering of coverage in any secondary State.
Exemptions from covered laws in a secondary state
Except as provided in this section, a health insurance issuer with respect to its offer, sale, rating (including medical underwriting), renewal, and issuance of individual or group health insurance coverage in any secondary State is exempt from any covered laws of the secondary State (and any rules, regulations, agreements, or orders sought or issued by such State under or related to such covered laws) to the extent that such laws would—
make unlawful, or regulate, directly or indirectly, the operation of the health insurance issuer operating in the secondary State, except that any secondary State may require such an issuer—
to pay, on a nondiscriminatory basis, applicable premium and other taxes (including high risk pool assessments) which are levied on insurers and surplus lines insurers, brokers, or policyholders under the laws of the State;
to register with and designate the State insurance commissioner as its agent solely for the purpose of receiving service of legal documents or process;
to submit to an examination of its financial condition by the State insurance commissioner in any State in which the issuer is doing business to determine the issuer’s financial condition, if—
the State insurance commissioner of the primary State has not done an examination within the period recommended by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; and
any such examination is conducted in accordance with the examiners’ handbook of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and is coordinated to avoid unjustified duplication and unjustified repetition;
to comply with a lawful order issued—
in a delinquency proceeding commenced by the State insurance commissioner if there has been a finding of financial impairment under subparagraph (C); or
in a voluntary dissolution proceeding;
to comply with an injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon a petition by the State insurance commissioner alleging that the issuer is in hazardous financial condition;
to participate, on a nondiscriminatory basis, in any insurance insolvency guaranty association or similar association to which a health insurance issuer in the State is required to belong;
to comply with any State law regarding fraud and abuse (as defined in section 2795(10)), except that if the State seeks an injunction regarding the conduct described in this subparagraph, such injunction must be obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction;
to comply with any State law regarding unfair claims settlement practices (as defined in section 2795(9)); or
to comply with the applicable requirements for independent review under section 2798 with respect to coverage offered in the State;
require any individual or group health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an insurance agent or broker residing in that Secondary State; or
otherwise discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both the primary State and in any secondary State.
Clear and conspicuous disclosure
A health insurance issuer shall provide
the following notice, in 12-point bold type, in any insurance coverage offered
in a secondary State under this part by such a health insurance issuer and at
renewal of the policy, with the 5 blank spaces therein being appropriately
filled with the name of the health insurance issuer, the name of primary State,
the name of the secondary State, the name of the secondary State, and the name
of the secondary State, respectively, for the coverage concerned:
Notice: This policy is issued by ____ and is governed by the laws and
regulations of the State of ____, and it has met all the laws of that State as
determined by that State’s Department of Insurance. This policy may be less
expensive than others because it is not subject to all of the insurance laws
and regulations of the State of _____, including coverage of some services or
benefits mandated by the law of the State of _____. Additionally, this policy
is not subject to all of the consumer protection laws or restrictions on rate
changes of the State of _____. As with all insurance products, before
purchasing this policy, you should carefully review the policy and determine
what health care services the policy covers and what benefits it provides,
including any exclusions, limitations, or conditions for such services or
benefits.
.
Prohibition on certain reclassifications and premium increases
In general
For purposes of this section, a health insurance issuer that provides individual or group health insurance coverage to an individual under this part in a primary or secondary State may not upon renewal—
move or reclassify the individual insured under the health insurance coverage from the class such individual is in at the time of issue of the contract based on the health status-related factors of the individual; or
increase the premiums assessed the individual for such coverage based on a health status-related factor or change of a health status-related factor or the past or prospective claim experience of the insured individual.
Construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to prohibit a health insurance issuer—
from terminating or discontinuing coverage or a class of coverage in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 2742;
from raising premium rates for all policy holders within a class based on claims experience;
from changing premiums or offering discounted premiums to individuals who engage in wellness activities at intervals prescribed by the issuer, if such premium changes or incentives—
are disclosed to the consumer in the insurance contract;
are based on specific wellness activities that are not applicable to all individuals; and
are not obtainable by all individuals to whom coverage is offered;
from reinstating lapsed coverage; or
from retroactively adjusting the rates charged an insured individual if the initial rates were set based on material misrepresentation by the individual at the time of issue.
Prior offering of policy in primary state
A health insurance issuer may not offer for sale individual or group health insurance coverage in a secondary State unless that coverage is currently offered for sale in the primary State.
Licensing of agents or brokers for health insurance issuers
Any State may require that a person acting, or offering to act, as an agent or broker for a health insurance issuer with respect to the offering of individual or group health insurance coverage obtain a license from that State, with commissions or other compensation subject to the provisions of the laws of that State, except that a State may not impose any qualification or requirement which discriminates against a nonresident agent or broker.
Documents for submission to state insurance commissioner
Each health insurance issuer issuing individual or group health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary States shall submit—
to the insurance commissioner of each State in which it intends to offer such coverage, before it may offer individual or group health insurance coverage in such State—
a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study or any similar statement of the policy being offered and its coverage (which shall include the name of its primary State and its principal place of business);
written notice of any change in its designation of its primary State; and
written notice from the issuer of the issuer’s compliance with all the laws of the primary State; and
to the insurance commissioner of each secondary State in which it offers individual or group health insurance coverage, a copy of the issuer’s quarterly financial statement submitted to the primary State, which statement shall be certified by an independent public accountant and contain a statement of opinion on loss and loss adjustment expense reserves made by—
a member of the American Academy of Actuaries; or
a qualified loss reserve specialist.
Power of courts To enjoin conduct
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any Federal or State court to enjoin—
the solicitation or sale of individual or group health insurance coverage by a health insurance issuer to any person or group who is not eligible for such insurance; or
the solicitation or sale of individual or group health insurance coverage that violates the requirements of the law of a secondary State which are described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of section 2796(b)(1).
Power of Secondary States To Take Administrative Action
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any State to enjoin conduct in violation of that State’s laws described in section 2796(b)(1).
State powers To enforce state laws
In general
Subject to the provisions of subsection (b)(1)(G) (relating to injunctions) and paragraph (2), nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of any State to make use of any of its powers to enforce the laws of such State with respect to which a health insurance issuer is not exempt under subsection (b).
Courts of competent jurisdiction
If a State seeks an injunction regarding the conduct described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (h), such injunction must be obtained from a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction.
States’ authority To sue
Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of any State to bring action in any Federal or State court.
Generally applicable laws
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the applicability of State laws generally applicable to persons or corporations.
Guaranteed Availability of Coverage to HIPAA Eligible Individuals
To the extent that a health insurance issuer is offering coverage in a primary State that does not accommodate residents of secondary States or does not provide a working mechanism for residents of a secondary State, and the issuer is offering coverage under this part in such secondary State which has not adopted a qualified high risk pool as its acceptable alternative mechanism (as defined in section 2744(c)(2)), the issuer shall, with respect to any individual or group health insurance coverage offered in a secondary State under this part, comply with the guaranteed availability requirements for eligible individuals in section 2741.
Primary State must meet Federal floor before issuer may sell into secondary States
A health insurance issuer may not offer, sell, or issue individual or group health insurance coverage in a secondary State if the State insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all health insurance issuers.
Independent external appeals procedures
Right to External Appeal
A health insurance issuer may not offer, sell, or issue individual or group health insurance coverage in a secondary State under the provisions of this title unless—
both the secondary State and the primary State have legislation or regulations in place establishing an independent review process for individuals who are covered by individual health insurance coverage or group health insurance offered by a health insurance issuer, respectively, or
in any case in
which the requirements of subparagraph (A) are not met with respect to the
either of such States, the issuer provides an independent review mechanism
substantially identical (as determined by the applicable State authority of
such State) to that prescribed in the Health Carrier External Review
Model Act
of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for
all individuals who purchase insurance coverage under the terms of this part,
except that, under such mechanism, the review is conducted by an independent
medical reviewer, or a panel of such reviewers, with respect to whom the
requirements of subsection (b) are met.
Qualifications of Independent Medical Reviewers
In the case of any independent review mechanism referred to in subsection (a)(2):
In general
In referring a denial of a claim to an independent medical reviewer, or to any panel of such reviewers, to conduct independent medical review, the issuer shall ensure that—
each independent medical reviewer meets the qualifications described in paragraphs (2) and (3);
with respect to each review, each reviewer meets the requirements of paragraph (4) and the reviewer, or at least 1 reviewer on the panel, meets the requirements described in paragraph (5); and
compensation provided by the issuer to each reviewer is consistent with paragraph (6).
Licensure and expertise
Each independent medical reviewer shall be a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) or health care professional who—
is appropriately credentialed or licensed in 1 or more States to deliver health care services; and
typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review.
Independence
In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), each independent medical reviewer in a case shall—
not be a related party (as defined in paragraph (7));
not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party; and
not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party (as determined under regulations).
Exception
Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to—
prohibit an individual, solely on the basis of affiliation with the issuer, from serving as an independent medical reviewer if—
a non-affiliated individual is not reasonably available;
the affiliated individual is not involved in the provision of items or services in the case under review;
the fact of such an affiliation is disclosed to the issuer and the enrollee (or authorized representative) and neither party objects; and
the affiliated individual is not an employee of the issuer and does not provide services exclusively or primarily to or on behalf of the issuer;
prohibit an individual who has staff privileges at the institution where the treatment involved takes place from serving as an independent medical reviewer merely on the basis of such affiliation if the affiliation is disclosed to the issuer and the enrollee (or authorized representative), and neither party objects; or
prohibit receipt of compensation by an independent medical reviewer from an entity if the compensation is provided consistent with paragraph (6).
Practicing health care professional in same field
In general
In a case involving treatment, or the provision of items or services—
by a physician, a reviewer shall be a practicing physician (allopathic or osteopathic) of the same or similar specialty, as a physician who, acting within the appropriate scope of practice within the State in which the service is provided or rendered, typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review; or
by a non-physician health care professional, the reviewer, or at least 1 member of the review panel, shall be a practicing non-physician health care professional of the same or similar specialty as the non-physician health care professional who, acting within the appropriate scope of practice within the State in which the service is provided or rendered, typically treats the condition, makes the diagnosis, or provides the type of treatment under review.
Practicing defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term practicing means, with respect to an individual who is a physician or other health care professional, that the individual provides health care services to individual patients on average at least 2 days per week.
Pediatric expertise
In the case of an external review relating to a child, a reviewer shall have expertise under paragraph (2) in pediatrics.
Limitations on reviewer compensation
Compensation provided by the issuer to an independent medical reviewer in connection with a review under this section shall—
not exceed a reasonable level; and
not be contingent on the decision rendered by the reviewer.
Related party defined
For purposes of this section, the term related party means, with respect to a denial of a claim under a coverage relating to an enrollee, any of the following:
The issuer involved, or any fiduciary, officer, director, or employee of the issuer.
The enrollee (or authorized representative).
The health care professional that provides the items or services involved in the denial.
The institution at which the items or services (or treatment) involved in the denial are provided.
The manufacturer of any drug or other item that is included in the items or services involved in the denial.
Any other party determined under any regulations to have a substantial interest in the denial involved.
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
Enrollee
The term enrollee means, with respect to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, an individual enrolled with the issuer to receive such coverage.
Health care professional
The term health care professional means an individual who is licensed, accredited, or certified under State law to provide specified health care services and who is operating within the scope of such licensure, accreditation, or certification.
Enforcement
In general
Subject to subsection (b), with respect to specific individual or group health insurance coverage the primary State for such coverage has sole jurisdiction to enforce the primary State’s covered laws in the primary State and any secondary State.
Secondary state’s authority
Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to affect the authority of a secondary State to enforce its laws as set forth in the exception specified in section 2796(b)(1).
Court interpretation
In reviewing action initiated by the applicable secondary State authority, the court of competent jurisdiction shall apply the covered laws of the primary State.
Notice of compliance failure
In the case of individual health insurance coverage offered in a secondary State, or group health insurance coveraged offered by a health insurance issuer in a secondary State, that fails to comply with the covered laws of the primary State, the applicable State authority of the secondary State may notify the applicable State authority of the primary State.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to health insurance coverage offered, issued, or sold after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
GAO ongoing study and reports
Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an ongoing study concerning the effect of the amendment made by subsection (a) on—
the number of uninsured and under-insured;
the availability and cost of health insurance policies for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions;
the availability and cost of health insurance policies generally;
the elimination or reduction of different types of benefits under health insurance policies offered in different States; and
cases of fraud or abuse relating to health insurance coverage offered under such amendment and the resolution of such cases.
Annual reports
The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an annual report, after the end of each of the 5 years following the effective date of the amendment made by subsection (a), on the ongoing study conducted under paragraph (1).
Continuing State authority
Nothing in this title, or the amendments made by this title, shall be construed as preventing a State—
from permitting residents of the State to purchase of health insurance offered by a health insurance issuer located outside the State; or
from permitting groups to directly obtain, through an association health plan or otherwise, health insurance coverage for their members.
State Health Flexibility
Short title
This title may be cited
as the State Health Flexibility Act of
2013
.
Health grants to the States for health care services to indigent individuals
Health care block grant to States
The Social Security Act is amended by adding at the end the following new title:
BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to provide Federal financial assistance to the States, in the form of a single grant, to allow the States maximum flexibility in providing, and financing the provision of, health-care-related items and services to indigent individuals.
Grants to States
In general
Subject to the requirements of this title, each State is entitled to receive from the Secretary of the Treasury a grant for each quarter of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, in an amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total amount received by a State under title XIX and title XXI for fiscal year 2012.
Appropriation
Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 such sums as are necessary for grants under this section.
Requirements relating to intergovernmental financing
The Secretary of the Treasury shall make the transfer of funds under grants under subsection (a) directly to each State in accordance with the requirements of section 6503 of title 31, United States Code.
Expenditure of funds
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts received by a State under this title for any fiscal year shall be expended by the State in such fiscal year or in the succeeding fiscal year.
Use of rainy day fund permitted
Of the amounts received by a State under this title, the State may set aside, in a separate account, such amounts as the State deems necessary to provide, without fiscal limitation, health-care-related items and services for indigent individuals during—
periods of unexpectedly high rates of unemployment; or
periods related to circumstances that are not described in subparagraph (A) and that cause unexpected increases in the need for such items and services for such individuals.
Funds remaining after fiscal year 2022
If, after fiscal year 2023, a State has funds in the account under paragraph (2), the State may only expend such funds if such funds are used in a manner that is permitted under subsection (e), as such subsection is in effect on September 30, 2023.
Use of funds
A State may only use the amounts received under subsection (a) as follows:
General purpose
For the purpose under section 2201, including the provision of health-care-related items and services as required under section 2205. Nothing in this title shall be construed as limiting the flexibility of a State to determine which providers of such items and services qualify to receive payment from a grant made to the State under this title.
Funding for risk adjustment mechanisms
To fund qualified high risk pools, reinsurance pools, or other risk-adjustment mechanisms used for the purpose of subsidizing the purchase of private health insurance for the high-risk population.
Authority to use portion of Federal assistance for other welfare-related programs
In general
Subject to the limit under subparagraph (B), to carry out a State program pursuant to any or all of the following provisions of law:
Part A of title IV of this Act.
Section 1616 of this Act.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
Limitation
A State may not use more than 30 percent of the amount received under subsection (a) for a fiscal year to carry out a State program, or programs, under subparagraph (A).
Requirements on funds
Any amounts that are used under subparagraph (A)—
shall not be subject to any of the requirements of subsection (d), subsection (f), section 2204, or section 2205; and
shall be subject to—
the audit requirements under section 2203; and
any requirements that apply to Federal funds provided directly for such State program.
Maintenance of current law restrictions on use of federal funds
In general
No funding for abortions
None of the funds appropriated in this title shall be expended for any abortion.
No funds for coverage of abortion
None of the funds appropriated in this title shall be expended for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.
Health benefits coverage defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term health benefits coverage means the package of services covered by a managed care provider or organization pursuant to a contract or other arrangement.
Exceptions
State funds used in conjunction with Federal funds
The limitations established in paragraph (1) shall apply to any State funds used in conjunction with Federal funds appropriated under this title to provide, or finance the provision of, health-care-related items and services to indigent individuals pursuant to section 2201 or subsections (d)(2), (e)(1), or (e)(2) of this section.
Option to purchase separate coverage or plan
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting a State from purchasing separate coverage for abortions for which funding is prohibited under this subsection, or a health plan that includes such abortions, so long as such coverage or plan is paid for entirely using funds not provided by this title.
Option to offer coverage or plan
Nothing in this subsection shall restrict any health insurance issuer from offering separate coverage for abortions for which funding is prohibited under this subsection, or a health plan that includes such abortions, so long as—
premiums for such separate coverage or plan are paid entirely with funds not provided by this title; and
administrative costs and all services offered through such separate coverage or plan are paid for using only premiums collected for such coverage or plan.
Conscience protections
None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be made available to a Federal agency or program, or to a State or local government, if such agency, program, or government subjects any institutional or individual health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.
In this paragraph, the term health care entity includes an individual physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional, a hospital, a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, or any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
No funding for illegal aliens
Except as provided under this section and section 2205, no funds appropriated in this title may be used to provide health-care-related items and services to an alien who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law.
Nonentitlement
Nothing in this title shall be construed as providing an individual with an entitlement to health-care-related items and services under this title.
Administrative and fiscal accountability
Audits
Contract with approved auditing entity
Not later than October 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, a State shall contract with an approved auditing entity (as defined under paragraph (3)(B)) for purposes of conducting an audit under paragraph (2) (with respect to the fiscal year ending September 30 of such year).
Audit requirement
Under a contract under paragraph (1), an approved auditing entity shall conduct an audit of the expenditures or transfers made by a State from amounts received under a grant under this title, or from State funds described in section 2202(f)(3), with respect to the fiscal year which such audit covers, to determine the extent to which such expenditures and transfers were expended in accordance with this title.
Entity conducting audit
In general
With respect to a State, the audit under paragraph (2) shall be conducted by an approved auditing entity in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles.
Approved auditing entity
For purposes of this section, the term approved auditing entity means, with respect to a State, an entity that is—
approved by the Secretary of the Treasury;
approved by the chief executive officer of the State; and
independent of any Federal, State, or local agency.
Submission of audit
Not later than December 31, 2014, and annually thereafter, a State shall submit the results of the audit under paragraph (2) (with respect to the fiscal year ending on September 30 of such year) to the State legislature and to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Additional accounting requirements
The provisions of chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, shall apply to the audit requirements of this section.
Reimbursement and penalty
In general
If, through an audit conducted under subsection (a), an approved auditing entity finds that any amounts paid to a State under a grant under this title were not expended in accordance with this title—
the State shall pay to the Treasury of the United States any such amount, plus 10 percent of such amount as a penalty; or
the Secretary of the Treasury shall offset such amount plus the 10 percent penalty against any other amount in any other fiscal year that the State may be entitled to receive under a grant under this title.
Misuse of State funds
If, through an audit conducted under subsection (a), an approved auditing entity finds that a State violated the requirements of section 2202(f)(3), the State shall pay to the Treasury of the United States 100 percent of the amount of State funds that were used in violation of section 2202(f)(3) as a penalty. Insofar as a State fails to pay any such penalty, the Secretary of the Treasury shall offset the amount not so paid against the amount of any grant otherwise payable to the State under this title.
Annual reporting requirements
In general
Not later than January 31, 2015, and annually thereafter, each State shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury and the State legislature a report on the activities carried out by the State during the most recently completed fiscal year with funds received by the State under a grant under this title for such fiscal year.
Content
A report under paragraph (1) shall, with respect to a fiscal year—
contain the results of the audit conducted by an approved auditing entity for a State for such fiscal year, in accordance with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section;
specify the amount of the grant made to the State under this title that is used to carry out a program under section 2202(e)(3); and
be in such form and contain such other information as the State determines is necessary to provide—
an accurate description of the activities conducted by the State for the purpose described under section 2201 and any other use of funds permitted under subsections (d) and (e) of section 2202; and
a complete record of the purposes for which amounts were expended in accordance with this title.
Conformity with accounting principals
Any financial information in the report under paragraph (1) shall be prepared and reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including the provisions of chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code.
Public availability
A State shall make copies of the reports required under this section available on a public Web site and shall make copies available in other formats upon request.
Failure To comply with requirements
The Secretary of the Treasury shall not make any payment to a State under a grant authorized by section 2202(a)—
if an audit for a State is not submitted as required under subsection (a), during the period between the date such audit is due and the date on which such audit is submitted;
if a State fails to submit a report as required under subsection (c), during the period between the date such report is due and the date on which such report is submitted; or
if a State violates a requirement of section 2202(f), during the period beginning on the date the Secretary becomes aware of such violation and the date on which such violation is corrected by the State.
Administrative supervision and oversight
Limited role for Secretary of Treasury and the Attorney general
Treasury
The authority of the Secretary of the Treasury under this title is limited to—
promulgating regulations, issuing rules, or publishing guidance documents to the extent necessary for purposes of implementing subsection (a)(3)(B), subsection (b), and subsection (d);
making quarterly payments to the States under grants under this title in accordance with section 2202(a);
approving entities under subsection (a)(3)(B) for purposes of the audits required under subsection (a);
withholding payment to a State of a grant under subsection (d) or offsetting a payment of such a grant to a State under subsection (b); and
exercising the authority relating to nondiscrimination that is specified in section 2204(b).
Attorney general
The authority of the Attorney General to supervise the amounts received by a State under this title is limited to the authority under section 2204(c).
Federal supervision
In general
Except as provided under paragraph (1), an administrative officer, employee, department, or agency of the United States (including the Secretary of Health and Human Services) may not—
supervise—
the amounts received by the States under this title; or
the use of such amounts by the States; or
promulgate regulations or issue rules in accordance with this title.
Limitation on Secretary of Health and Human Services
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall have no authority over any provision of this title.
Reservation of State powers
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the power of a State, including the power of a State to pursue civil and criminal penalties under State law against any individual or entity that misuses, or engages in fraud or abuse related to, the funds provided to a State under this title.
Nondiscrimination provisions
No discrimination against individuals
No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with amounts paid to a State under this title on the basis of such individual’s—
disability under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794);
sex under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.); or
race, color, or national origin under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).
Compliance
If the Secretary of the Treasury determines that a State or an entity that has received funds from amounts paid to a State under a grant under this title has failed to comply with a provision of law referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury shall notify the chief executive officer of the State of such failure to comply and shall request that such chief executive officer secure such compliance.
If, not later than 60 days after receiving notification under paragraph (1), the chief executive officer of a State fails or refuses to secure compliance with the provision of law referred to in such notification, the Secretary of the Treasury may—
refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation that an appropriate civil action be instituted; or
exercise the powers and functions provided under section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794a), title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), or title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (as applicable).
Civil actions
If a matter is referred to the Attorney General under subsection (b)(2)(A), or the Attorney General has reason to believe that a State or entity has failed to comply with a provision of law referred to in subsection (a), the Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States for such relief as may be appropriate, including injunctive relief.
Emergency assistance
In general
A State that receives a grant under this title for a fiscal year shall provide payment for health-care-related items and services provided to a citizen, legal resident, or an alien who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law, consistent with the requirements of section 1867, if—
such health-care-related items and services are—
necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition; and
health-care-related items and services that such State would provide payment for under this title, if provided to an indigent individual;
the individual meets all necessary eligibility requirements for health-care-related items and services under the State program funded under this title, except for any requirement related to immigration status; and
such items and services are not related to an organ transplant procedure.
Emergency medical condition
For purposes of this section, the term emergency medical condition means a medical condition (including emergency labor and delivery) manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—
placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy;
serious impairment to bodily functions; or
serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
Definitions
For purposes of this title:
Health-care-related items and services
The term health-care-related items and services shall be defined by a State with respect to use of such term for purposes of the application of this title to the State.
High-Risk Population
The term high-risk population means individuals who are described in one of the following subparagraphs:
Individuals who, by reason of the existence or history of a medical condition, are able to acquire health coverage only at rates which are at least 150 percent of the standard risk rates for such coverage.
Individuals who are provided health coverage by a qualified high risk pool.
Indigent individual
The term indigent individual shall be defined by a State with respect to use of such term for purposes of the application of this title to the State.
Qualified high risk pool
The term qualified high risk pool has the meaning given such term in section 2745(g)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act.
Risk-Adjustment Mechanism Defined
For purposes of this section, the term risk-adjustment mechanism means any risk-spreading mechanism to subsidize the purchase of private health insurance for the high-risk population, including a qualified high risk pool.
.
Report on reduction of Federal administrative expenditures
Beginning not later than October 31, 2014, and annually thereafter until October 31, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives and the Finance Committee in the Senate containing a description of the total reduction in Federal expenditures required to administer and provide oversight for the programs to provide health-care-related items and services to indigent individuals under this Act, compared to the expenditures required to administer and provide oversight for the programs under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act, as in effect on September 30, 2012.
State defined
Section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)) is amended—
in the first
sentence, by striking and XXI
and inserting XXI, and
XXII
; and
in the fourth
sentence, by striking and XXI
and inserting , XXI, and
XXII
.
Repeal of Federal requirements of Medicaid and CHIP
Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act are repealed.
Severability
If any provision of this title, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is found to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this title, or the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected.
Effective date
This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect with respect to items and services furnished on or after October 1, 2013.