ATLANTA (March 7, 2012) – The Georgia Insurance Commissioner would be allowed to set coverage standards for the regional reciprocal sales of health insurance across state lines under SB 471, which passed the Senate today. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) and will now transfer to the House of Representatives after a 36 to 16 vote.
“Georgians deserve the right to purchase their own health care coverage at competitive rates. The free market is a natural mechanism for driving down costs, and our state has a responsibility to provide its citizens with affordable and comprehensive health care coverage,” said Sen. Hill.
SB 471 would require the identification of at least four states with insurance statutes similar and consistent with Georgia’s in order to create a regional or multi-state market for comprehensive major medical insurance and group health insurance policies. The Georgia Insurance Commissioner will take a lead role in the establishment of any such coalition, as well as the development of an alternative policy approval process.
In addition, the Georgia Insurance Commissioner will also be given the authority to sanction alternative policies properly vetted by the approval process as available for purchase. Any out-of-state insurance providers must be authorized to issue policies in Georgia and meet all requirements established by the Georgia Insurance Commissioner.
“The State of Georgia cannot be caught off-guard when and if the U.S. Supreme Court rules that any or all of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Purchasing health care coverage should be a personal decision and not a federally mandated one,” said Sen. Hill.
Since SB 471 passed on Day 30—which is the last day for bills to transfer to the other chamber—it is still considered a live bill that could be signed into Georgia law. All bills that do not pass the Senate today will not return to committee and must be re-introduced during the 2013 legislative session.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Jennifer Yarber
jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028