HB-5277, As Passed House, April 21, 2004

SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 5277

                   (As amended April 21, 2004)                              

                                                                             A bill to amend 1980 PA 350, entitled                                             

"The nonprofit health care corporation reform act,"                         

(MCL 550.1101 to 550.1704) by adding section 409a.                          

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1   Sec. 409a.  (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,                 

2   a health care corporation may refuse to offer or provide a health           

3   care benefit on [             ] ethical, moral, or religious                

4   grounds as reflected in its articles of incorporation or bylaws             

5   or an adopted mission statement.                                            

6       (2) A health care corporation shall not refuse to offer or                  

7   provide a health care benefit under subsection (1) if the benefit           

8   is specifically covered under the certificate.                              

9   (3) A health care corporation's refusal to offer or provide a               

10  health care benefit under subsection (1) shall not be a basis for           

11  1 or more of the following:                                                 

1       (a) Civil, criminal, or administrative liability.                           

2       (b) Eligibility discrimination against the health care                      

3   corporation in providing a certificate unless offering or                   

4   providing the health care benefit is expressly required.