Bill > HB5455

This bill establishes the Texas Health Insurance Exchange (TXHIE), a state-based health insurance marketplace designed to help individuals and small businesses purchase health insurance. The exchange will be governed by an 11-member board of directors, with nine appointed members (three each by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house) and two ex officio non-voting members. The exchange's primary purposes include facilitating the purchase of qualified health plans, minimizing enrollment barriers, and benefiting the state's health insurance market. The bill authorizes the exchange to charge user fees up to 3% of total premiums to cover its operational costs, accept grants and federal funding, and create an independent trust fund. Key provisions include requirements for a third-party technology audit, an enhanced direct enrollment pathway for web brokers and agents, and potential future recommendations for a state-administered subsidy program and federal waivers. The exchange is exempted from state taxes, fees, and purchasing procedures, and must comply with federal law. The initial coverage period is set to begin no earlier than January 1, 2028, with board appointments and initial planning to occur by late 2025 and early 2026.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5455