House Approves Game-Changing Health Care Bill to Expand Workplace Insurance Access | PRIMENEWSNOW

House Republicans Pass New Health Care Legislation

WASHINGTON – In a significant move, House Republicans approved a new health care bill on Wednesday, designed to reduce health care expenses and broaden options for employer-sponsored insurance.

However, the spotlight shifted earlier in the day when moderate Republicans allied with Democrats to push for a vote on extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. These credits were notably absent from the Republican health care proposal.

Internal GOP Disagreements

Republican leaders blocked a vote on an amendment to their bill that would have extended these credits, along with additional subsidy program reforms. In response, four Republicans supported a Democrat-led petition for a straightforward three-year extension.

The House GOP’s proposal also omits funding for health savings accounts, a feature included in the Senate’s plan to address the ACA subsidy expiration.

Key Provisions of the New Bill

The newly passed legislation aims to simplify the process for small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. It also proposes measures to reduce some ACA marketplace premiums, although the actual cost for most enrollees might increase due to subsidy calculations.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to side with Democrats in opposing the bill.

Expanding Access to Association Health Plans

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act seeks to broaden access to association health plans, enabling small businesses and self-employed individuals to collaborate across sectors to purchase less regulated insurance. This type of coverage is already available to large employers. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that approximately 700,000 more people annually would opt for these plans, including 200,000 currently uninsured individuals.

Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) emphasized that small businesses often depend on ACA marketplace insurance, and the GOP is offering them more choices.

“Our focus is on helping employers reduce premiums, not just those in the marketplace,” Guthrie stated during a House Rules Committee session.

Criticism and Concerns

Democrats have criticized these plans as “junk insurance,” arguing they could increase premiums for ACA marketplace participants. Association health plans are not required to cover essential health benefits like pediatric care, hospitalization, and maternity services.

“That doesn’t sound like a health care plan to me,” remarked Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) at the Rules Committee meeting.

Additional Measures and Financial Implications

The bill includes a provision to prevent states from regulating stop-loss insurance, which self-insured plans use to manage large claims. It also proposes funding cost-sharing reductions for low-income ACA marketplace enrollees, potentially lowering gross premiums for benchmark silver plans by an average of 11%, according to the CBO. However, this would reduce the tax credits available for purchasing any plan, affecting those enrolled in gold and bronze plans.

Moreover, the bill introduces bipartisan reforms targeting drug middlemen’s business practices, aiming to cut government spending.

The CBO estimates that the legislation would reduce the deficit by $35.6 billion from 2026 to 2035, though it might decrease the number of insured individuals by an average of 100,000 annually.