MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      March 24, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Commerce was called to order by Chairman Gene T. Porter at 3:35 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 1993, in Room 332 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda, Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mr. Morse Arberry, Jr., Vice Chairman

      Ms. Kathy M. Augustine

      Mr. Rick C. Bennett

      Mr. John Bonaventura

      Ms. Chris Giunchigliani

      Mr. Dean A. Heller

      Ms. Erin Kenny

      Mr. Richard Perkins

      Ms. Myrna T. Williams

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      Mr. Gene T. Porter, Chairman (excused)

      Mr. Val Z. Garner

      Mr. David E. Humke (excused)

      Mr. Scott Scherer (excused)

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

      Mr. William Petrak, District 18

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Paul Mouritsen, Senior Staff Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau

     

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

      See Exhibit B attached hereto

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 324Makes various changes to encourage provision of health insurance for employees of small businesses.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN WILLIAMS MOVED TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE AB 324.

     

      ASSEMBLYMAN BENNETT SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12      Urges Commissioner of Insurance to encourage insurers who issue policies of health insurance to offer policies with limited coverage to certain persons.

 

Assemblyman William Petrak, District 18, testified.  Mr. Petrak explained the purpose of ACR 12 was to request the Governor ask the Commissioner of Insurance to request insurance companies which issue health insurance policies to issue affordable health plans for individuals between the ages of 50 and 65. 

 

Mr. Petrak explained the reason for targeting the age group of 50 to 65.  He said often individuals in that group worked for small employers who were unable to offer group health insurance.  He advised those individuals either had no health insurance or the cost of their insurance was prohibitive.  Mr. Petrak estimated 50,000 people in the state of Nevada, in the age group of 50 to 65, were unable to afford health insurance and, therefore, had none.  Mr. Petrak suggested certain benefits contained in health insurance policies were inapplicable to individuals aged 50 to 65, and if those benefits were eliminated from insurance policies, the cost of the policies could be reduced.

 

Mr. Petrak advised the proposed legislation was brought before the legislature during its last session, but too late to be acted upon.  He urged support for ACR 12.

 

A colloquy ensued between Mrs. Williams and Mr. Petrak.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani quoted the language, commencing on line 16 of ACR 12, "to offer policies to persons over 50 years of age with reduced premiums for selected limited coverage."  She asked if the intent of the language was to equate reduced premiums with reduced coverage or to suggest a limited policy be created for which persons over 50 years of age would pay even less than others would pay.  Mr. Petrak answered, "We want the limited coverage for these people, and we also want the actuaries to look into the policy and see if they can't eliminate some of the benefits that actually don't apply to this particular age group."

 

Ms. Giunchigliani asked why the age group 50 and over had been selected.  Mr. Petrak responded at age 65 individuals would come under the Medicare/Medicaid provisions.  Discussions were held between Ms. Giunchigliani and Mr. Petrak regarding the requirements for an individual to qualify for Medicare/Medicaid.  

 

Vice Chairman Arberry closed the hearing on ACR 12.

 

Vice Chairman Arberry called for a motion for a bill draft request having to do with amusement parks.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN WILLIAMS MOVED FOR A BILL DRAFT REQUEST.

     

      ASSEMBLYMAN BENNETT SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Vice Chairman Arberry called for a motion for committee introduction of BDR 57-965.

 

BDR 57-965  Prohibits insurer from certain relationships with business that received benefits from insurer.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN BENNETT MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF

      BDR 57-965.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN PERKINS SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

There being no further business before the committee, Vice Chairman Arberry adjourned the meeting.

 

                                        RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

 

 

 

 

                                        _______________________

                                        SARA J. KAUFMAN

                                        Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Commerce

March 24, 1993

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