Bill > S852

This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to establish and operate a State-run Health Benefits Exchange, which is a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance, as provided for under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). The Commissioner will have the authority to make necessary changes to programs, rules, policies, guidelines, or plans to implement and operate the Exchange, accept federal funds for its creation and operation, and create advisory boards for recommendations. The bill also removes previous restrictions on state departments and agencies entering into contracts or committing resources for a federally facilitated Health Benefit Exchange or taking actions toward forming a State-run Exchange without legislative authorization, and appropriates $100,000 annually starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the establishment and operation of this State-run Exchange, with the act becoming effective on July 1, 2026.