Title I, SEC. 1591. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SECRETARY OF LABOR. 
      (a) In General. The Secretary of Labor is responsible 

        (1) under subtitle D of title I, for the enforcement of requirements 
      applicable to employers under regional health alliances (including 
      requirements relating to payment of premiums) and the administration of 
      corporate health alliances; 

        (2) under subtitle E of title I, with respect to elections by eligible 
      sponsors to become corporate alliances and the termination of such 
      elections; 

        (3) under section 1395, for the temporary assumption of the operation 
      of self-insured corporate alliance health plans that are insolvent; 

        (4) under section 1396, for the establishment and administration of 
      Corporate Alliance Health Plan Insolvency Fund; 

        (5) for carrying out any other responsibilities assigned to the 
      Secretary under this Act; and 

        (6) for administering title I of the Employee Retirement Income 
      Security Act of 1974 as it relates to group health plans maintained by 
      corporate alliances. 

      (b) Agreements with States. The Secretary of Labor may enter into 
    agreements with States in order to enforce responsibilities of employers 
    and corporate alliances, and requirements of corporate alliance health 
    plans, under subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income 
    Security Act of 1974. 

      (c) Consultation with Board. In carrying out activities under this Act 
    with respect to corporate alliances, corporate alliance health plans, and 
    employers, the Secretary of Labor shall consult with the National Health 
    Board. 

      (d) Employer-Related Requirements. 

        (1) In general. The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the 
      Secretary, shall be responsible for assuring that employers 

          (A) make payments of any employer premiums (and withhold and make 
        payment of the family share of premiums with respect to qualifying 
        employees) as required under this Act, including auditing of regional 
        alliance collection activities with respect to such payments, 

          (B) submit timely reports as required under this Act, and 

          (C) otherwise comply with requirements imposed on employers under 
        this Act. 

        (2) Audit and similar authorities. The Secretary of Labor 

          (A) may carry out such audits (directly or through contract) and such 
        investigations of employers and health alliances, 

          (B) may exercise such authorities under section 504 of Employee 
        Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (in relation to activities under 
        this Act), 

          (C) may, with the permission of the Board, provide (through contract 
        or otherwise) for such collection activities (in relation to amounts 
        owed to regional alliances and for the benefit of such alliances), and 

          (D) may impose such civil penalties under section 1347(c), 

          as may be necessary to carry out such Secretary's responsibilities 
        under this section. 

      (e) Authority. The Secretary of Labor is authorized to issue such 
    regulations as may be necessary to carry out responsibilities of the 
    Secretary under this Act.