Alton, IL – A proposal that will help small businesses and individuals select and enroll in affordable private health care plans was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn today. The bill, which was sponsored by State Senator William R. Haine (D-Alton), will put Illinois in compliance with federal requirements established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"It’s important that Illinois has a mechanism in place to implement the federal health care reform act on terms that better suit the Illinois marketplace" said Haine, who chairs the Senate Insurance Committee. "Under this bill, the State is authorized receive federal grants to implement a health benefits exchange that will ultimately help thousands of individuals, as well as small businesses across the state, afford quality health care."

Senate Bill 1555, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly with overwhelming support, establishes the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Act. Under the recently enacted federal health care law, states must implement certain requirements for state-level health exchanges, including maintaining a website with information allowing individuals to compare health plans, providing a telephone hotline to respond to requests for assistance, and establishing a calculator that will be available online so that individuals can determine the actual cost of coverage.

The State must also implement a certification procedure for health plans to become qualified under the federal law. In addition, individuals must be informed of eligibility requirements for Medicaid and CHIP programs or any similar state or local program and, if eligible, must be enrolled in the program.

Senate Bill 1555 allows Illinois to begin implementing these changes by creating a bipartisan Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Study Committee. The committee will work with consumers, medical service providers, small businesses, and insurance companies to determine standards for a health benefits exchange. Once operational, the exchange will assist individuals and employers with no more than 50 employees as they shop for and select affordable health plans.

The bill also authorizes the State Department of Insurance and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to apply for and receive federal grant money to meet the October 1, 2013 deadline to have an operational health benefits exchange. Finally, the bill establishes a health savings account program for state employees beginning this year.

"Making quality, affordable health care available to Illinois residents is a major priority," Haine said. "The wide support this bill received as it went through the legislative process is evidence that we can provide health care to Illinois residents without partisan bickering or political battles."