CSSB 61(HSS) - Alaska Health Care Program

• Establishes a mandatory Alaska health care program requiring all state residents to have insurance covering essential health services (preventative care, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health) unless covered by existing plans like Medicaid, Medicare, or employer-based insurance.

• Creates a 13-member Alaska Health Care Board appointed by the governor to administer the program and an Alaska health care clearinghouse to manage health insurance plan offerings and enrollment.

• Provides subsidized coverage based on income: residents at or below federal poverty guidelines receive free coverage, those between 100-300% of poverty guidelines pay sliding scale premiums, and those above 300% pay full premiums.

• Establishes the Alaska health care fund supported by state and federal appropriations, employer contributions, health care premiums, and private donations to finance the program.

• Imposes employer payroll taxes of 1-2% for employers with annual payroll over $500,000 who do not provide adequate health insurance coverage or contribute 33% of premiums; provides exemptions for employers offering cafeteria plans under federal tax code.