SEC. 191. HEALTH COVERAGE AVAILABILITY STUDIES.
Title[ Title I\Subtitle C Contents
<<NOTE: 42 USC 300gg note.>>
Subtitle C--General and Miscellaneous Provisions
(a) Studies.--
(1) Study on effectiveness of reforms.--The Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall provide for a study on the
effectiveness of the provisions of this title and the various
State laws, in ensuring the availability of reasonably priced
health coverage to employers purchasing group coverage and
individuals purchasing coverage on a non-group basis.
(2) Study on access and choice.--The Secretary also shall
provide for a study on--
(A) the extent to which patients have direct access
to, and choice of, health care providers, including
specialty providers, within a network plan, as well as
the opportunity to utilize providers outside of the
network plan, under the various types of coverage
offered under the provisions of this title; and
(B) the cost and cost-effectiveness to health
insurance issuers of providing access to out-of-network
providers, and the potential impact of providing such
access on the cost and quality of health insurance
coverage offered under provisions of this title.
(3) Consultation.--The studies under this subsection shall
be conducted in consultation with the Secretary of Labor,
representatives of State officials, consumers, and other
representatives of individuals and entities that have expertise
in health insurance and employee benefits.
(b) Reports.--Not later than January 1, 2000, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on each of the
studies under subsection (a).
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