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          <title>WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 5918, The SHOP Act</title>
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<item>
<title>Revision by webmaster (July 25, 2008, 01:00:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5918.html?rev=28207</link>
<description>&lt;p&gt;H.R. 5918 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc0&quot;&gt; Detailed Summary &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc1&quot;&gt; Status of the Legislation &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Latest Major Action: 5/7/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc2&quot;&gt; Points in Favor &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc3&quot;&gt; Points Against &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">28207@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2008, 01:00:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5918.html?rev=26815</link>
<description>&lt;p&gt;H.R. 5918 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc4&quot;&gt; Detailed Summary &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc5&quot;&gt; Status of the Legislation &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Latest Major Action: 4/30/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc6&quot;&gt; Points in Favor &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc7&quot;&gt; Points Against &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">26815@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Revision by webmaster (June 9, 2008, 01:00:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5918.html?rev=25215</link>
<description>&lt;p&gt;H.R. 5918 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc8&quot;&gt; Detailed Summary &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc9&quot;&gt; Status of the Legislation &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Latest Major Action: 4/29/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc10&quot;&gt; Points in Favor &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc11&quot;&gt; Points Against &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">25215@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Status as of May 7, 2008</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5918.html</link>
<description>5/7/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">38097@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Revision by webmaster (April 30, 2008, 01:00:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5918.html?rev=22986</link>
<description>&lt;p&gt;H.R. 5918 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc12&quot;&gt; Detailed Summary &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc13&quot;&gt; Status of the Legislation &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc14&quot;&gt; Points in Favor &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc15&quot;&gt; Points Against &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">22986@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Revision by webmaster (April 30, 2008, 01:00:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5918.html?rev=22987</link>
<description>&lt;p&gt;H.R. 5918 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc16&quot;&gt; Detailed Summary &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc17&quot;&gt; Status of the Legislation &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Latest Major Action: 4/29/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc18&quot;&gt; Points in Favor &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;h2 id=&quot;toc19&quot;&gt; Points Against &lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">22987@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Status as of April 30, 2008</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5918.html</link>
<description>4/30/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">37323@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Status as of April 29, 2008</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5918.html</link>
<description>4/29/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">35183@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
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