Amendment ID: S2842-41-R1

Redraft Amendment 41

Small Business Insurance Premium Assistance

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 31 the following section:-

“SECTION 31A. The commonwealth health insurance connector shall study and provide a plan to assist small businesses with the cost of increased health insurance premium costs during the public health emergency caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19, and for the 12 months following the termination of all emergency declarations by the governor relative to COVID-19 of any and all existing emergency declarations related thereto. The connector shall recommend a plan that is fair, transparent and accounts for differences in the size and need of employers eligible for assistance. Not later than October 1, 2020, the commonwealth health insurance connector shall file its report with the clerks of the house and senate, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means.