SENATE RESOLUTION No. 23

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 26, 1996

 

 

By Senator McGREEVEY

 

 

A Senate Resolution memorializing Congress to pass S. 1028, providing increased access to health care benefits and increased portability and security of those benefits.

 

Whereas, Issues involving the security and portability of health care coverage become integral factors in important decisions made, not just about health care, but about employment opportunities, and even decisions such as whether to marry, divorce or have children; and

Whereas, S. 1028, entitled the "Health Insurance Reform Act of 1995" and now pending in the United States Senate, provides important protections to those who have such coverage and who, because of a change in job or family circumstances, or illness, might otherwise be left without health insurance; and

Whereas, One of the bill's key provisions prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage to a group purchaser, such as an employer, based on the medical condition of a member of that group; and

Whereas, Another important provision bars insurers from excluding people with diagnosed medical problems from coverage under a group plan for more than 12 months and requires a month-for-month coverage credit for a preexisting condition previously covered under another qualifying plan; and

Whereas, The bill also guarantees availability of individual coverage after leaving group policy coverage, such as after leaving a job; and

Whereas, It also mandates renewability of group and individual health insurance plans, except for premium nonpayment, material misrepresentation or plan termination for these or other specified reasons; and

Whereas, In all these respects, the bill makes it easier for employers to choose to provide health care coverage for their employees at the same time it makes it easier for individuals to make decisions about their jobs and their lives; and

Whereas, In so doing, S. 1028, the first significant health insurance reform measure with bipartisan support to make it out of committee in the 104th Congress, mirrors many of the reforms enacted here in New Jersey in the last several years; now, therefore,

 

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The Congress of the United States is respectfully memorialized to enact S. 1028, providing increased access to health care benefits and increased portability and security of those benefits.

 

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of New Jersey.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution memorializes Congress to enact S. 1028, which provides increased access to health care benefits and increases the portability and security of those benefits. Most importantly, the bill prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage to a group purchaser, such as an employer, based on the medical condition of a member of that group; bars insurers from excluding people with diagnosed medical problems from coverage under a group plan for more than 12 months; and requires a month-for-month coverage credit for a preexisting condition previously covered under another qualifying plan. The bill also guarantees availability of individual coverage after leaving group policy coverage, such as after leaving a job and mandates renewability of group and individual health insurance plans, except for certain specified reasons.

 

 

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Memorializes Congress to enact S. 1028, concerning access to and portability of health care benefits.