Equal Healthcare Access Act

“89A Health insurance for non-Federal employees

“8921. Definitions

“For purposes of this chapter—

“(1) any term used in this chapter which is defined in section 8901 shall have the same meaning as is given such term under such section; and

“(2) the term Office means the Office of Personnel Management.

“8922. Health insurance program

“(a) In general—The Office shall administer a health insurance program for non-Federal employees in accordance with this chapter.

“(b) Regulations—The Office shall prescribe regulations under which, except as otherwise provided in this chapter and to the maximum extent practicable, the provisions of chapter 89 shall be applied for purposes of carrying out this chapter.

“8923. Contracting requirement

“The Office shall, not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of the Equal Healthcare Access Act, enter into contracts with qualified carriers to make health benefits plans available under this chapter.

“8924. Eligibility to enroll

“(a) In general—Any qualified individual may enroll in a health benefits plan under this chapter.

“(b) Qualified individual defined—For purposes of this section, the term qualified individual means any individual other than an individual who is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a health benefits plan under chapter 89, including as a family member.

“8925. Exceptions to provisions incorporated by reference

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law—

“(1) subscription charges for a health benefits plan under this chapter may differ between or among geographic regions; and

“(2) an employer may, under arrangements satisfactory to the Office—

“(A) offer coverage under this chapter to its employees; and

“(B) make a contribution toward the cost of such coverage.

“8926. Coordination and application provisions

“(a) Coordination—A health benefits plan under this chapter shall be deemed to be a health plan offered through an Exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148; 124 Stat. 119) for purposes of section 1312 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18032).

“(b) Application

“(1) In general—In the case of a qualified individual enrolled in a health benefits plan under this chapter—

“(A) for purposes of section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, such plan shall be treated as a qualified health plan described in subsection (b)(2)(A) thereof that was enrolled in through an Exchange established by a State under section 1311 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and

“(B) for purposes of section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071), such plan shall be treated as a qualified health plan in the silver level of coverage in the individual market offered through an Exchange.

“(2) Regulations—The Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.”