WASHINGTON - Today, the House passed H.R. 3799, the CHOICE Arrangement Act, delivering a win for job creators and workers. During debate of the legislation, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) gave the following remarks on the House Floor:
“I am certain of two things.
“One, health care costs present a significant burden on small businesses, and two, inaction is not going to cut it.
“This comprehensive small-business health care package is a proven first step based on free-market principles and reducing government interference. By empowering small businesses with choice and competition, we can lower health care costs and increase access to high-quality care.
“I hope the other side of the aisle gives this legislation the serious consideration it deserves. I often hear complaints that Republicans don’t have a plan to fix health care costs.
“Well, here it is."
The Committee's bills included in H.R. 3799 are:
The Association Health Plans Act:
* Codifies the Trump administration rule to expand AHPs.
* Levels the playing field for small businesses.
* Allows employers, including self-employed individuals and independent contractors, to band together across state lines to purchase health coverage.
The Self-Insurance Protection Act:
* Reaffirms long-standing policies that stop-loss insurance is not health insurance and has never been considered health insurance under federal law.
* Prevents states from circumventing ERISA preemption and prohibiting small business owners' access to the self-insured market.
* Ensures workers and employers will continue to benefit from a health care plan model that lowers costs and provides greater flexibility.