Ali Meyer of the Washington Free Beacon reports business groups’ favorable reaction to a federal rule targeting health care options.
Business groups are voicing their support for the Department of Labor’s rule that aims to help Americans find coverage by expanding the use of Association Health Plans.
The proposed rule essentially changes the definition of what an employer is so more sole proprietors and small business employees could ban together and gain insurance through Association Health Plans or Small Business Health Plans.
Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business Steve Chabot (R., Ohio) said the rule would help employees gain coverage through more flexible and affordable options than before.
“While the tax reform package Congress passed and the president signed into law in December effectively ended the burdensome individual mandate, small businesses are still subject to Obamacare’s employer mandate and have few options to provide affordable health care choices to their employees and families,” Chabot said. “DOL’s proposed rule would allow small employers and sole proprietors to join together and form Small Business Health Plans to provide their workers more affordable and flexible health care options.”
