§ 15-12A-02. General consideration.

   (a) In general. -- There is a Small Employer Health Benefit Plan Premium Subsidy Program.

(b) Purposes. -- The purposes of the Program are to:

   (1) provide an incentive for small employers to offer and maintain a small employer health benefit plan for their employees;

   (2) help low and moderate income employees of small employers afford small employer health benefit plan premiums;

   (3) promote access to health care services, particularly preventive health care services that might reduce the need for emergency room care and other acute care services; and

   (4) reduce uncompensated care in hospitals and other health care settings.

(c) Administration. -- The Commission, in consultation with the Department, shall administer the Program.

(d) Contents. -- The Program shall consist of subsidies, as provided under § 15-12A-03 of this subtitle, for:

   (1) small employers that have not previously offered a small employer health benefit plan to their employees; and

   (2) employees of small employers that have not previously offered a small employer health benefit plan to their employees.

(e) Funding. -- Funding for the Program may be provided from:

   (1) general funds; or

   (2) the Health Care Coverage Fund established under Title 15, Subtitle 7 of the Health - General Article.

(f) Regulations. -- The Commission shall adopt regulations to establish:

   (1) the eligibility requirements for small employers under the Program; and

   (2) the level of subsidies to be provided under the Program.

HISTORY: 2007 Sp. Sess., ch. 7, § 1.