2014 Virginia Code
Title 30 - General Assembly
§ 30-342. (Expires July 1, 2017) Powers and duties

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Monitor the work of appropriate federal and state agencies in implementing the provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including amendments thereto and regulations promulgated thereunder (the Act);

2. Assess the implications of the Act's implementation on residents of the Commonwealth, businesses operating within the Commonwealth, and the general fund of the Commonwealth;

3. Consider the recommendations of the Virginia Health Reform Initiative to the Governor regarding the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing health reform in Virginia, including recommendations for innovative health care solutions independent of the approach embodied in the Act that meet the needs of Virginia's citizens and government by creating an improved health system that will serve as an economic driver for the Commonwealth while allowing for more effective and efficient delivery of high quality care at lower cost;

4. Determine whether, when, and under what conditions the Commonwealth should establish a state-run health benefit exchange, partner with the federal government to implement a health benefit exchange, or acquiesce in the establishment of a federally operated health benefit exchange within Virginia;

5. Recommend what health benefits should be required to be included within the scope of the essential health benefits provided under health insurance products offered in the Commonwealth, including any benefits that are not required to be provided by the terms of the Act;

6. Provide assessments of existing and proposed mandated health insurance benefits and providers, including assessments of whether such a mandate (i) is included in the essential health benefits required by federal law to be provided under a health care plan and (ii) should be provided under health care plans offered through a health benefit exchange, outside a health benefit exchange, neither, or both;

7. Conduct other studies of mandated benefits and provider issues as requested by the General Assembly; and

8. Develop such recommendations as may be appropriate for legislative and administrative consideration in order to increase access to health insurance coverage, ensure that the costs to business and individual purchasers of health insurance coverage are reasonable, and encourage a robust market for health insurance products in the Commonwealth.

2013, c. 709.