Builders Endorse Association Health Plan Legislation
Association health plan (AHP) legislation introduced on Feb. 2 by Reps. John Boehner (R-Ohio), Sam Johnson (R-Texas), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Albert Wynn (D-Md.) would address the problem of the nation’s rising number of uninsured and help alleviate the high cost of health care, according to NAHB.
“NAHB has been a strong advocate of AHPs as a solution for the skyrocketing health care costs over the past decade that have driven many small businesses out of the health insurance market entirely, forcing them to abandon coverage for their employees,” said NAHB President David Wilson.
H.R. 525, “The Small Business Health Fairness Act,” is identical to legislation that passed the House in the 108th Congress with broad bipartisan support. The measure would allow small business owners to band together across state lines through membership in a bona fide local, state or national trade association to leverage their size, just as large businesses and unions do, to negotiate lower insurance costs and more options.