Chairman urges portable health plans and interstate choice as solution to rising marketplace costs
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Summary
In response to questions about rising marketplace premiums for roughly 4,000,000 Texans, the chairman advocated portable, individually owned health plans, interstate shopping and pooled plans as ways to lower costs for workers and small-business employers.
When asked about rising costs for marketplace enrollees, the chairman (unnamed) said Congress needs to act and outlined a private-market approach intended to reduce costs for individuals and small businesses.
"I believe individuals ought to own their own health care," the chairman said, adding that health coverage should be transferable so workers can keep plans when they change jobs or retire. He advocated allowing consumers to "shop across state lines" and to place employers or individuals into pooled plans to reduce premiums.
The interviewer opened the exchange by saying rising costs have affected "some 4,000,000 Texans who purchased their policies on the marketplace" (transcript statement). The chairman described the rising cost of employer-provided insurance as a direct business expense and said shifting toward portable, individual plans would improve cash flow for employers and put more purchasing power in consumers' hands.
He said there is "a lot of talk" about moving legislation but emphasized that any change must be "the right legislation" and that leadership will determine the path forward. He framed the approach as consistent with his broader pro–small-business agenda but did not cite specific bills, committee votes or statutory language during the session.
The hearing record does not specify legislative text or timelines; the chairman described principles and administrative preferences rather than naming statutes or proposed bills.