HBA-TBM H.B. 2127 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2127 By: Craddick Insurance 7/3/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, health coverage providers were legally able to deny benefits to an applicant enlisted in another health benefit plan until the applicant's membership in the previous plan was terminated. This conduct may have caused complications for a person trying to change health insurance plans. House Bill 2127 prohibits a health benefit plan provider from refusing to cover a member of another health benefit plan. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2127 amends the Insurance Code to prohibit the issuer of a health benefit plan from refusing to enroll a person in the plan solely because the person is enrolled in another health benefit plan at the time the person applies for the coverage. An issuer of a health benefit plan who violates the article engages in unfair discrimination. The bill sets forth health benefit plan applicability standards. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.