Live from the Legislature
This bill is being considered in the House Finance Committee. As JLF has argued, the high-risk pool is a good idea. The controversy is in the funding mechanism. The bill would impose an assessment on insurance companies of up to two dollars per member, per month, which of course would be passed on to the consumer.
Rep. Skip Stam (R-Wake) proposed amending the bill to allow for funding out of the General Fund.
Amendment fails: 15 no; 13 yes, along party lines.
Perri Morgan, lobbyist for NC100 was allowed to speak in opposition to the bill, based on the funding source, but at the close of debate and for only a few minutes.
Committee substitute bill received a favorable report and will go to the Appropriations Committee.
