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Realtors, small-business witnesses urge Congress to restore association health plans
Summary
At a House Education and Labor subcommittee hearing, witnesses representing realtors and small businesses described association health plans (AHPs) as a lower-cost option that was blocked after a court decision and urged Congress to pass legislation to restore AHP access for self-employed workers and small employers.
Witnesses testifying before the House Education and Labor subcommittee described association health plans and other employer-driven alternatives as tools that helped some self-employed workers and small employers obtain lower deductibles, broader networks and, in some cases, cheaper premiums.
Angela Shields, chief executive officer for Tennessee Realtors, told the subcommittee that a realtor-sponsored AHP the association created in 2019 offered ‘‘comprehensive health coverage for preexisting conditions’’ and included all 10 of the Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefits. ‘‘We did not negatively affect the ACA markets,’’ Shields said. She said the program reduced deductibles and kept members with their existing doctors.
Supporters said the 2018 federal rule that expanded AHP availability produced measurable savings while it was in effect and that…
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