HJ0030 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0030 LRB101 09456 MST 56007 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 29.3 million persons of all ages were uninsured in the United States in 2017; in the same year, adults aged 25-34 were almost twice as likely as adults aged 45-64 to lack health insurance coverage; and

WHEREAS, A lack of insurance coverage can motivate people to forgo treatments and doctor visits, leading to unfortunate health consequences for these individuals; additionally, when an uninsured individual does seek treatment, they often receive a bill that they cannot afford to pay, a bill that is often higher than what an insurer would pay for the same treatment; these bills can further compound an already difficult financial situation for the uninsured; and

WHEREAS, A lack of insurance coverage increases costs throughout the healthcare system by forcing healthcare providers to absorb costs of unpaid bills and pass those costs on to other patients; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Promoting Insurance Coverage and Alternatives Task Force is created; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall review methods in which the State of Illinois and its various departments can promote healthcare coverage of Illinois residents by private insurance and review other medical coverage options, including health savings accounts, healthcare bonds, or any other method the Task Force sees fit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall also review methods in which the State of Illinois and its various departments can increase flexibility for residents to enroll in Affordable Care Act insurance plans or to bridge gaps in coverage that can occur before the yearly open enrollment period; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) One member from businesses licensed to sell insurance within the State of Illinois appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) One member from businesses licensed to sell insurance within the State of Illinois appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) One member from businesses licensed to sell insurance within the State of Illinois appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) One member from businesses licensed to sell insurance within the State of Illinois appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) Two members of the majority party of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall serve as co-chair;

(6) Two members of the minority party of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader, one of whom shall serve as co-chair;

(7) Two members of the majority party of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

(8) Two members of the minority party of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader;

(9) The Director of the Department of Insurance or their designee; and

(10) The Secretary of the Department of Human Services or their designee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 60 days after passage of this resolution and commence meeting as soon as possible; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Insurance shall provide administrative support; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall issue its final report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2019, and upon the filing of its report, is dissolved.