S. 1729 – Reading Mode

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1729

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 19, 2013

Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide further options with respect to levels of coverage under qualified health plans.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanded Consumer Choice Act.

Providing for a new level of coverage under qualified health plans

(a)

In general

Section 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18022) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(3), by inserting copper, after either the;

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:

(C)

Copper plans

The cost-sharing incurred under a health plan in the copper level with respect to self-only coverage or coverage other than self-only coverage for a plan year beginning in 2015 shall not be less than an amount determined appropriate by the Secretary (such amount to be in excess of the amount applicable to a bronze plan) increased as provided for in subparagraph (B) for later plan years.

;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

in clause (i), by striking and at the end;

(II)

in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(III)

by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

for plan years beginning in 2015, the amount provided for under paragraph (1)(C) in the case of a plan in the copper level.

; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting or copper after bronze; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Regulations relating to plans in the copper level

The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to provide for annual limits on deductibles and cost-sharing for plans in the copper level to ensure that such limits are reasonable for every marketplace and to take into account the feasibility of the relative plan design in each local insurance marketplace.

;

(3)

in subsection (d)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:

(E)

Copper level

Beginning in plan year 2015, a plan in the copper level shall provide a level of coverage that is designed to provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to 50 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan.

; and

(B)

in paragraph (4), by inserting copper, after providing a; and

(4)

in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting copper, after providing a.

(b)

Multi-State plans

Section 1334(c)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18054(c)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting copper, after offering of the.