VirginiaHB8262026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health Insurance Reform Commission; powers and duties.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Health Insurance Reform Commission; powers and duties. Provides that it is a power and duty of the Health Insurance Reform Commission, upon request of the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce or Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, to assess proposed legislation affecting the cost of health insurance through changes to plan design or cost sharing impacting consumers, employers, unions, and employee welfare benefit plans.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Guidance on required benefits in health plans

The Commission gets regular reports from the Bureau of Insurance. It recommends which services count as essential health benefits in Virginia plans. It can suggest benefits beyond what federal law requires. These recommendations guide what insurers must cover.

Strategy to expand coverage and lower costs

The Commission works on a state health reform strategy. It can propose innovative solutions beyond the federal law to build a better health system. It develops recommendations to expand access to coverage, keep costs reasonable for people and businesses, and support a strong insurance market. Lawmakers and agencies use these recommendations.

Virginia tracks Affordable Care Act changes

The Health Insurance Reform Commission monitors how agencies carry out the Affordable Care Act. It receives required reports. Using that information, it assesses effects on Virginia residents, businesses, and the state budget. Its findings inform state decisions on health coverage and costs.

Reviews of plan mandates and costs

When the House or Senate commerce chair asks, the Commission reviews proposed mandated benefits and provider rules. It recommends whether a mandate should apply in exchange plans, outside the exchange, neither, or both. When asked, it also reviews bills that change plan design or cost sharing and analyzes effects on consumers, employers, unions, and benefit plans. The General Assembly can also ask for studies on mandated benefits and provider issues. These reviews help lawmakers weigh coverage and cost tradeoffs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0675)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 675 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB826ER)

    3/12/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/12/2026House
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB826)

    3/12/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/12/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/5/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Commerce and Labor (13-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  20. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  21. Reported from Labor and Commerce (20-Y 0-N)

    2/12/2026House
  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

    2/10/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB826)

    1/22/2026House
  24. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1

    1/22/2026House
  25. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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