GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE BILL 1044
     

 
Short Title:	Moratorium on Health Ins. Mandates.	()	
Sponsors:	Senators Hoyle;  Berger, Cunningham, Garwood, Kerr, and Rucho.	
Referred to:	Insurance and Consumer Protection.	
April 5, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS SHALL NOT mandate additional coverage beyond what is REQUIRED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; and to authorize the legislative research commission to study the issue of HEALTH insurance mandates.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a) Article 50 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new section to read:
"§ 58-50-63. Additional coverage mandates prohibited; exceptions.
(a)	Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this section, an insurer shall not deliver, issue, or renew a health benefit plan after January 1, 2002, that includes any additional coverage requirements beyond those requirements in effect for health benefit plans on December 31, 2001.
(b)	Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit:
(1)	An employer from electing to expand coverage on any group or individual health benefit plan or policy covering the employer and the employees of the employer.
(2)	An expansion of coverage in an individual or group health benefit plan or policy if the expansion of coverage is deemed to be cost-efficient based upon a cost-benefit analysis performed by the Department of Insurance.
(c)	As used in this section, the terms 'insurer' and 'health benefit plan' have the meaning applied in G.S. 58-3-167."
SECTION 1.(b) The Commissioner of Insurance may adopt temporary rules in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes to implement this section.
SECTION 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the issue of health insurance mandated benefits and the cost to employers and individuals of unfunded health insurance mandates.  In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider cost‑benefit analysis to determine the cost efficiency of mandated benefits, including cost‑benefit analyses performed by the Department of Insurance pursuant to G.S. 58‑50‑63. The Commission shall make a progress report to the 2001 General Assembly upon its reconvening in 2002, and shall make its final report to the 2003 General Assembly.  Progress and final reports of the Commission may include recommended legislation.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law. Section 1 of this act expires January 1, 2004.