SB 86 – Small Business Healthcare Act

Primary Sponsors: Sen. Dan Bishop (R-Mecklenburg), Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe)

Bill Summary

This bill would create opportunities for small employers to provide employees more access to health insurance.

The bill would change the requirements for licensure as a MEWA.

  • The bill would remove the requirement that a MEWA be established by a trade association, industry association, or professional association.
  • The bill would require at least one substantial business purpose other than offering health coverage or benefits.
  • The bill would require a commonality of interest and not be offered by the public.

The bill would allow decrease the number of employees required to cover small employers from 26 to 12.

The Senate Health Committee introduced a proposed committee substitute on March 7, 2019.

The bill was amended to include clarifying language to state that newly created association shall be deemed to have bene organized and maintained for as long as its newest constituent association has been in existence.

Bill Movement

This bill was filed on February 19, 2019.

This bill passed in the Senate Commerce Committee on February 28, 2019.

This bill was heard for discussion in Senate Health Care Committee on March 6, 2019.

This bill passed Senate Health Care Committee on March 7, 2019.

This bill passed  the Senate Rules Committee on March 12, 2019

This bill passed second reading in the Senate on March 13, 2019.

This bill passed third reading in the Senate on March 14, 2019.

This bill will now move to the House.

This bill was referred to the following committees in the House:

  • Health –  passed on June 27, 2019.
  • Rules – A proposed committee substitute passed on August 6, 2019.

This bill passed the House and will be sent to the Senate.

The Senate concurred with the House on August 13, 2019 with a vote of 32-9.

This bill will now be sent to the Governor.