531#7s (CA) Review of Essential and Standard Health Benefit Plans. SB29 - Committee Approved

State Budget

1998 Session

Budget Amendments - SB29 (Committee Approved)

Bill Order » Item 531 #7s

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Review of Essential and Standard Health Benefit Plans

Item 531 #7s

Item 531 #7s	First Year - FY1997	Second Year - FY1998
Central Appropriations
Central Appropriations	FY1997 $0	FY1998 $50,000	GF

Language
Page 129, line 6, strike "($14,621,280)" and insert "($14,571,280)".
Page 131, following line 9, insert
"K. In addition to the amounts provided in Chapter 912, Acts of Assembly (1996) a supplement of $50,000 is provided from the general fund for item 541, Regulation of Insurance Companies, in the second year to conduct an actuarial review of the Essential and standard Health Benefits Plans. As part of the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Benefits' review of the Essential and standard Health Benefits Plans as provided in §9-298, the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance shall request its actuarial consultant to review the Essential and standard Health Benefits Plans to assist the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Benefits determine what benefit design or other changes are needed to make the plans more marketable. The Bureau of Insurance shall have its actuarial consultant report its findings and recommendations to the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Benefits and the Joint Commission on Health Care by July 1, 1998. Pursuant to §9-298, the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Benefits shall make its recommendations regarding any benefit changes to the Bureau of Insurance for regulatory action by October 1, 1998."

Explanation
(This amendment requires the SCC's actuaries to conduct a review of Essential and Standard Health Benefit Plans.)

Item 531

Item 531	First Year - FY1997	Second Year - FY1998
Reversion Clearing Account - Miscellaneous (22600)	-$7,926,932	-$14,621,280
Fund Sources:
General	FY1997 -$7,926,932	FY1998 -$14,621,280

Authority: Discretionary Inclusion.

A. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall withhold from agency general fund appropriations, and transfer to this item, the amount of $2,500,000 in the second year for reductions in the cost of using vehicles provided by the Central Garage Car Pool of the Department of Transportation. The amount to be withheld from each agency shall be equal to the proportion of general fund contributions paid by that agency during the fiscal year 1997 to the total general fund amount paid into the Internal Service Fund of the Car Pool.

B. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall withhold from agency general fund appropriations, and transfer to this item, the amount of $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000 the second year for reductions in personnel costs resulting from a statewide hiring freeze.

C. The Director of the Department of Information Technology shall provide the information necessary for the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to withhold from agency appropriations amounts from the general fund for computer services in excess of the amounts required based on savings to be achieved from rate reductions, and to transfer such amounts to this item. The total general fund reduction to be achieved by this action is estimated at $730,762 the first year and $1,820,915 the second year. These amounts are to be withheld prior to June 30 of each year, under such rules and regulations as the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget may prescribe. In the case of agencies supported in part by nongeneral funds, the calculation of the general fund amount shall be based on the proportionate share of total funding from the general fund.

D.1. The Director of the Department of Information Technology shall take appropriate actions and provide the information necessary for the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to withhold from agency appropriations amounts for telecommunications services in excess of the amounts required based on savings to be achieved from rate reductions, and to transfer such amounts to this item. The total reduction to be achieved by this action is estimated at $196,170 the first year and $3,107,367 the second year. These amounts are to be withheld prior to June 30 of each year, under such rules and regulations as the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget may prescribe.

2. The Director of the Department of Information Technology shall take the necessary actions and provide the information necessary for the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to withhold from agency appropriations such general and non-general fund amounts for Computer Services and telecommunications services in excess of the amounts required, based on savings to be achieved from rate reductions, and to transfer such amounts to this item. The general fund reduction to be achieved by this action is estimated at $2,460,998 in the second year. The non-general fund reduction to be achieved by this action is estimated at $3,498,652 in the second year. These amounts are to be withheld prior to June 30, 1998, and the non-general funds transferred to the general fund under such rules and regulations as the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget may prescribe.

E. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall unallot the general fund appropriation in the first year of the Department of Social Services in the amount of $1,125,000. The amount shall be transferred to this item.

F. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall transfer to this item $2,000,000 by the close of the second year from: (1) unallotted general fund appropriations made to executive department agencies; (2) unexpended general fund balances; (3) unappropriated general fund balances; or (4) some combination thereof in response to actions taken by the Executive Department regarding Item 626 E.1. of Chapter 1056 of the 1996 Acts of Assembly.

G. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall unallot the general fund appropriation in the first year of the Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $300,000 from the unobligated balances of the Business Modernization Grant Program. The amount shall be transferred to this item.

H. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall unallot the general fund appropriation in the first year of the Department of Environmental Quality in the amount of $375,000. The amount shall be transferred to this item.

I. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall unallot the general fund appropriation in the first year of the Department of Conservation and Recreation by $200,000. The amount shall be transferred to this item.

J.I. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, including Paragraph D of this Item, agency savings estimated by the Department of Information Technology due to rate reductions on or after July 1, 1997, for computer or telecommunications services shall be retained by agencies for applying to first, year 2000 compliance problems and second, other information technology improvements.

2. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, shall require agencies to submit plans for use of the funds. The Director shall either approve the plans or transfer the general fund savings to this item for use by other agencies. The Director shall report the results of his actions to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees.