HR0406 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0406 LRB097 12102 JDS 56012 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 332 requesting the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to study the cost of each healthcare mandate that is a part of the Illinois Insurance Code and in effect on the date that the resolution was adopted, as well as the cumulative effect of those mandates on the overall cost of health insurance in Illinois for businesses; and

WHEREAS, House Resolution 332 further directed that the findings of the Commission be reported to the General Assembly by February 6, 2012, to ensure that the members of the General Assembly are informed about the costs and overall impact these mandates have on the ability of small and medium-sized businesses to purchase health insurance; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the cost impact of health insurance mandates on business, there is also a need to analyze the purpose of the mandates that have been enacted in terms of the health outcomes that were intended by providing such coverage; and

WHEREAS, The cost impact of health insurance mandates in terms of their effect on the health and well-being of individuals and groups who may be covered should always be taken into consideration, especially if such coverage prevents further health problems or improves the health condition of the covered person; and

WHEREAS, Improvement of the health of individuals and groups covered by the insurance mandates can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the employees of any business, which may impact the productivity of the workforce and the economic health of the business; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we request that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability include, in the study that it conducts under House Resolution 332, additional findings and recommendations regarding the cost impact of health insurance mandates in terms of the intended purpose and health outcomes of each mandate so that the financial impact on business is not the sole consideration and the members of the General Assembly are more fully informed about the costs and overall impact of those mandates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission incorporate these additional findings in its report under House Resolution 332; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Executive Director of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.