ID S1042

Creates the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange as an independent body corporate and politic, established to facilitate voluntary selection and purchase of individual and employer health benefit plans while asserting state sovereignty over health care issues.

Establishes a 16-member board (14 voting, 2 non-voting ex officio) with representation from health carriers, producers, individual consumers, small employers of varying sizes, and health care providers, appointed by the governor and subject to senate confirmation.

Exchange operates as a financially self-supporting voluntary marketplace that cannot require participation, tax citizens for non-participation, or prohibit health carriers, plans, or producers from participating or operating outside the exchange.

Board members are not state employees, ineligible for state benefits, subject to conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, and granted liability protection except for willful or wanton misconduct.

Exchange must submit annual written reports to the director of insurance, governor, and legislature by January 31st each year, and the Department of Insurance retains authority to regulate insurance business under Idaho Code Title 41.