The “Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,” the House health overhaul bill, creates the position of Health Choices Commissioner, or “Insurance Czar.”- The Insurance Czar would be appointed by the President to oversee the Health Choices Administration. This would be the 33rd federal ‘czar’ appointed by President Obama since his January 20, 2009 inauguration.
- The appointee would be responsible for establishing and regulating geographically-based Health Insurance Exchanges, determining what benefits and coverages must be included in health insurance plans each year, and assessing fines on employers and individuals who do not provide or acquire health insurance.
- The Insurance Czar would also be responsible for regulating private insurers’ marketing activities and use of funds, and for “promoting accountability” of insurance providers both within and outside of the Exchanges in “meeting Federal health insurance requirements.”
- Additionally , the Insurance Czar would be privy to individuals’ tax return information, which he or she would use to determine who qualifies for federal subsidies to purchase insurance.
Source: HR 3200 §141-2
