The Commonsense Competition and Access to Health Insurance Act

of 2017
Senator Mark Warner
Co-sponsors: Senator Manchin

The Commonsense Competition and Access to Health Insurance Act of 2017 would direct state insurance
regulators to develop models for states to sell health insurance across state lines.
Background: Section 1333 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows states to
create health care choice compacts permitting insurers to sell policies to consumers in any state
participating in the compact, so long as the plans comply with coverage, cost sharing, and consumer
protections.
While the ACA authorizes health care choice compacts, to date, little is known about the arrangements. A
report on multi-state models will help discern the benefits and challenges of selling health insurance
across state lines, and provide recommendations on how to utilize this tool to increase choice and
competition among plans, while also improving value.
The bill: The Commonsense Competition and Access to Health Insurance Act of 2017 directs the
Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to report on the
challenges states face in setting up qualified multi-state plans, recommendations on how to establish
competitive provider networks, and complexities in the interaction with state laws, among others topics.