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United States · Bill · S

S. 545 (108th)

Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

6 March 2003

Last action

6 March 2003 · Introduced

Status

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3256-3263)

Sponsors

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME], Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO], Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO], Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN], Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA], Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV]

Subjects

Healthcare, Taxation

Source updated

18 August 2025

Healthcare · Taxation

Summary

Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees. Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination. Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act. Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law. Revises provisions relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Provides for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 6 March 2003

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3256-3263)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 6 March 2003

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3255-3256)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 6 March 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in Senate (text)

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 6 March 2003

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 6 March 2003

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 6 March 2003

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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