What's happening
This bill creates a temporary commission to investigate the legality of the 2006 merger between HIP and GHI health insurance organizations.
Why it matters
Focuses on potential legal or regulatory lapses. by investigating the HIP-GHI merger’s legality, the commission could uncover if state oversight or compliance processes failed, which may have broader implications for how health insurance mergers are scrutinized in New York.
Empowers a diverse, bipartisan commission. the inclusion of appointees from legislative leaders of both parties, the governor, and heads of key state agencies (Attorney General, Department of Financial Services) aims to ensure a balanced and expert-driven inquiry, which may increase the credibility and impact of the commission’s findings.
Public transparency and accountability. the commission is authorized to hold public hearings and make its findings and recommendations available to the legislature and governor, potentially influencing future health insurance regulation, consumer protection, and legislative reforms.
Potential financial and policy impacts. with a $250,000 appropriation and a mandate to recommend legislative action if necessary, the commission’s work could lead to significant changes in health insurance oversight, affecting insurers, consumers, and the state’s regulatory approach.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Investigate 2006 Health Merger
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2973
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to create a temporary state commission to study and investigate the legality of the 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Group Health Incorporated; making an appropriation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. A temporary state commission is hereby created to study the 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) and Group Health Incorporated (GHI). The commission shall investigate and make written determinations on the legality of these transactions.
§ 2. (a) The commission shall consist of fifteen members as follows: three members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; three members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members shall be appointed by the governor; two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. Members so appointed shall be knowledgeable on mergers, acquisitions, insurance, or related matters. The remaining members shall be the heads of the following departments or agencies or their respective designees: the department of financial services and the attorney general. No person shall be a member of such commission while such person is a member of the senate or assembly. Any vacancy on such commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. The chairperson of the commission shall be the head or designee of the attorney general. The vice-chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by the chairperson.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a) of this section, no member, officer or employee of the commission shall be disqualified from holding any other public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05504-01-7
S. 2973 2
such office or employment by reason of his or her appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, ordinance or city charter.
§ 3. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
§ 4. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions and fix their compensation within the amounts made available by appropriation therefor.
§ 5. For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission shall be authorized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or analyses it may deem relevant through its own personnel or in cooperation with or by agreement with any other public or private agency. Such commission shall meet and hold public hearings or private meetings within or without the state, and shall have all the powers of a legislative committee pursuant to the legislative law.
§ 6. The commission may request and shall receive from any court in the state and from any subdivision, department, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof such facilities, assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable for the proper execution of its powers and duties and to effectuate the purposes set forth in this act.
§ 7. The commission shall make a report of its findings, including any recommendations for legislative action as it may deem necessary and appropriate, to the governor and the legislature no later than December thirty-first in the year next succeeding the year in which this act shall have become a law.
§ 8. The sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the state purposes account for services and expenses of this commission, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the chair of the temporary commission established pursuant to this act.
§ 9. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on the thirty-first of December next succeeding the year after such effective date when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to create a temporary state commission to study and investigate the legality of the 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Group Health Incorporated; making an appropriation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate the legality of the 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Group Health Incorporated.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Creates a temporary state commission to study the 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) and Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and analyze the legality of the transaction.
Section 2. Establishes that the commission shall consist of fifteen members who are knowledgeable on mergers, acquisitions, insurance, or related matters.
Section 3. Establishes that the members of the commission shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.
Section 4. Allows the commission to employ personnel it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.
Section 5. Empowers the commission to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys, or analyses it deems relevant.
Section 6. Empowers the commission to receive from the State any facilities, assistance, and data it deems necessary to the proper execution of its duties.
Section 7. Calls upon the commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
Section 8. Allocates $250,000 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Section 9. Effective Date and Expiration Date.
Justification
The 2006 merger of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Group Health Incorporated has raised many questions about the legality of the transaction. This bill would create a temporary state commission to investigate the legality of these transactions and report its findings to the Legislature and the Governor.
Legislative history
05/11/16 REFERRED TO FINANCE
Fiscal implications
Approximately $250,000.
Local fiscal implications
EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.
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