Association Health Plan Bill Headed for House Floor

Legislation to expand health care options and lower costs for small businesses through association health plans (AHPs) was favorably reported out of the House Education & the Workforce Committee this week.

The Association Health Plans Act (H.R. 2868), introduced in April by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Rick Allen (R-GA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Bob Good (R-VA), would give employees of small employers and self-employed individuals with no employees much-needed access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage through AHPs.

The bill would allow both industry-based and non-industry-based groups or associations to establish an AHP that is regulated like a large employer plan. It also allows that self-employed individuals can be deemed an “employer” and an “employee” for purposes of joining an AHP, and confirms that certain consumer protections – including protections from discrimination based on a pre-existing condition – would apply to AHPs.

“The Association Health Plans Act will provide small businesses with greater bargaining power, allowing them to offer more quality health care options for workers at a better price,” Walberg said. “Small businesses and their employees will be empowered when making health coverage decisions. With small businesses still trying to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, I look forward to seeing this legislation advance through the legislative process.”

The Association Health Plans Act is supported by The Coalition to Protect and Promote Association Health Plans, which includes ASAE, the National Association of REALTORS®, NFIB, National Restaurant Association and others.