Associations Health Plan Bill Gains Momentum

The House Education & the Workforce Committee marked up the Small Business Health Fairness Act (H.R. 525), designed to expand affordable health care coverage options for the millions of Americans currently uninsured by enacting association health plans (AHPs). Full Text

“This is a crucial initiative by Congress to improve access to affordable, quality health care for millions who cannot now afford it by supporting this legislation. Health care accessibility and affordability is a major issue facing small businesses and their employees today. I hear this daily from small businesses owners across the country who would like to make health insurance available to their employees and their families but cannot simply because of their size. The cost of health insurance to a small business is significantly greater than to its larger counterpart, leaving millions of American companies without the purchasing and bargaining power necessary to secure affordable health insurance.” Stated Hector Barreto, SBA Administrator.

Proposed AHP legislation would allow small businesses to band together through trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health packages. AHPs level the playing field by giving small employers greater bargaining power, economies of scale and administrative efficiencies – all benefits already enjoyed by large companies.