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Senate Bill 2: The State Health Insurance Of 2003

In October, 2003 Senate Bill 2 (Chapter 673, Statutes of 2003), the State Health Insurance Act of 2003 was signed into law. The Act would have provided health coverage, starting in January 2006, to specified employees who do not currently receive job-based coverage. The Act established, under the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, the State Health Purchasing Program, an insurance pool for employers who opt not to provide health insurance directly under the Act. SB2 became the subject of a referendum petition; on November, 2004 ballot, as Proposition 72. Under Proposition 72, SB 2 would take effect only if sustained by the voters. Proposition 72 was defeated by a 50.9 to 49.1 percent margin and SB 2 will not take effect.

• Summary of Senate Bill 2 (pdf)

The California Health Care Foundation funded a team to assess how MRMIB could best implement its responsibilities under SB 2. The team, lead by the Institute for Health Policy Solutions, and including RAND and Actuarial Research Corporation, has published a report. Please click the link below:

• Challenges and Alternatives for Pay or Play Program Design