Legislative findings and intent

It is the intent of the General Assembly to encourage health care cost containment while preserving the quality of care offered to citizens of this state. The General Assembly finds that there is an increasing number of proposals which mandate that certain health insurance benefits be provided by insurers as components of individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies. The General Assembly further finds that many of these health insurance benefits provide beneficial social and health consequences which may be in the public interest. However, the General Assembly also recognizes that most mandated health insurance benefits contribute to the increasing cost of accident and sickness insurance premiums. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly to conduct a systematic review of proposed mandated or mandatorily offered health insurance benefits and to establish guidelines for such a review. This review will assist the General Assembly in determining whether mandating a certain health insurance benefit is in the public interest. History. — Code 1981, § 33-24-61, enacted by Ga. L. 1989, p. 492, § 1. 33-24-62. ‘‘Health insurance benefit bill’’ defined. As used in this article, the term ‘‘health insurance benefit bill’’ means any legislative proposal which either mandates the inclusion of certain benefits, coverages, or reimbursements for covered health care services in accident and sickness insurance policies or provides for the manda376 33-24-64 tory offering of such benefits, coverages, or reimbursements in accident and sickness insurance policies. History. — Code 1981, § 33-24-62, enacted by Ga. L. 1989, p. 492, § 1. 33-24-63. Review of health insurance benefit bill by General Assembly; Commissioner to issue report on bill. (a) Every health insurance benefit bill, to be determined by the presiding officer of the House of Representatives or the Senate, shall be subject to review by the General Assembly prior to enactment as provided in this article. The Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate shall deliver such bill or bills to the Commissioner of Insurance within five days after such legislation has been read for the first time. (b) The Commissioner of Insurance shall issue a report on each health insurance benefit bill which assesses, if possible, the financial effects of the health insurance benefit proposed in such bill. The Commissioner, upon completion of said report, shall deliver a copy thereof to the Governor and to the presiding officer of both houses of the General Assembly. History. — Code 1981, § 33-24-63, enacted by Ga. L. 1989, p. 492, § 1. 33-24-64. Contents of report by Commissioner on health insurance benefit bills.