The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CHOICE Arrangement Act, H.R. 3799, Wednesday, June 21, in a 220-209 vote. The bill, part of a larger healthcare package, helps small business owners offer health coverage to their employees and families.
CAHC supported the bill and spearheaded efforts urging lawmakers to pass it. In a letter to lawmakers, before the vote, CAHC and more than a dozen health and employer organizations highlighted several improvements the Act made to legislation that provides small businesses with additional options, flexibility, and knowledge about their choice, including:
Association Health Plans Act would allow businesses to pool risk and negotiate lower costs
Self-Insurance Protection Act levels the playing field for small business
Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act creates certainty and improves Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs)
The Small Business Flexibility Act would help small businesses better understand and pick the coverage option that works best for their workforce
The passing of the CHOICE Arrangement Act is a major step towards leveling the playing for small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. Recent research by the National Federation of Independent Businesses found that offering health coverage has consistently been the top concern for small businesses.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where CAHC will continue to work with lawmakers to pass the bill into law.