§300gg Fair health insurance premiums

2010—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10103(a), inserted “(other than self-insured group health plans offered in such market)” after “such market”.

Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1255, formerly § 1253, title X, § 10103(e), (f)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 162, 895, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 1201–1255) of title I of Pub. L. 111–148, enacting subchapter II of chapter 157 of this title and sections 300gg to 300gg–2 and 300gg–4 to 300gg–7 of this title, and amending section 300gg–1 and 300gg–4 of this title and transferring former section 300gg of this title to section 300gg–3 of this title] (and the

action with respect to the plan’s or issuer’s crediting (or not crediting) such coverage if the plan or issuer has sought to comply in good faith with the applicable requirements under the

made by this section [enacting this section and section 300gg–1, 300gg–11 to 300gg–13, 300gg–21 to 300gg–23, 300gg–91, and 300gg–92 of this title and amending section 300e and 300bb–8 of this title]. “(3) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements.—Except as provided in paragraph (2)(B), in the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and one or more employers ratified before the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 21, 1996], part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 300gg et seq.] (other than section 2701(e) [now 2704(e)] thereof [42 U.S.C. 300gg–3(e)]) shall not apply to plan years beginning before the later of—“(A) the date on which the last of the collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after the date of the enactment of this Act), or “(B) July 1, 1997. For purposes of subparagraph (A), any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement of such part shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement. “(4) Timely

.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services, consistent with section 104 [42 U.S.C. 300gg–92 note], shall first issue by not later than April 1, 1997, such

as may be necessary to carry out the

made by this section [enacting this section and section 300gg–1, 300gg–11 to 300gg–13, 300gg–21 to 300gg–23, 300gg–91, and 300gg–92 of this title and amending section 300e and 300bb–8 of this title] and section 111 [enacting sections 300gg–41 to 300gg–44 and 300gg–61 to 300gg–63 of this title]. “(5) Limitation on actions.—No

action shall be taken, pursuant to the

made by this section, against a group health plan or health insurance issuer with respect to a violation of a requirement imposed by such

before January 1, 1998, or, if later, the date of issuance of

referred to in paragraph (4), if the plan or issuer has sought to comply in good faith with such requirements.” Congressional Findings Relating to Exercise of Commerce Clause Authority;

Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 195, Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1991, provided that: “(a) Findings Relating to Exercise of Commerce Clause Authority.—Congress finds the following in relation to the provisions of this title [enacting this subchapter and sections 1181 to 1183 and 1191 to 1191c of Title 29, Labor, amending section 233, 300e, and 300bb–8 of this title and section 1003, 1021, 1022, 1024, 1132, 1136, and 1144 of Title 29, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 300gg–92 of this title, and section 1181 of Title 29]:“(1) Provisions in group health plans and health insurance coverage that impose certain preexisting condition exclusions impact the ability of employees to seek employment in interstate commerce, thereby impeding such commerce. “(2) Health insurance coverage is commercial in nature and is in and affects interstate commerce. “(3) It is a necessary and proper exercise of Congressional authority to impose requirements under this title on group health plans and health insurance coverage (including coverage offered to individuals previously covered under group health plans) in order to promote commerce among the States. “(4) Congress, however, intends to defer to States, to the maximum extent practicable, in carrying out such requirements with respect to insurers and health maintenance organizations that are subject to State regulation, consistent with the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.]. “(b)

.—If any provision of this title or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this title and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.” Health Coverage Availability Studies Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 191, Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1987, directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a study on the effectiveness of the provisions of title I of Pub. L. 104–191 and the various State laws, in ensuring the availability of reasonably priced health coverage to employers and individuals and a study on access to, and choice of, health care providers and the cost and cost-effectiveness to health insurance issuers of providing access to out-of-network providers, and the potential impact of providing such access on the cost and quality of health insurance coverage, and to report to the appropriate committees of Congress on each of such studies not later than Jan. 1, 2000.