House BillHR 2528Health care coverage and accessDisability and health-based discrimination
Association Health Plans Act
INTRO APR 1· LAST ACTION DEC 15
READING
10MIN
COSPONSORS
32
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
The high cost of health insurance is a major concern for many small businesses and self-employed individuals, often limiting their ability to offer competitive benefits or even secure coverage for themselves. This bill matters because it seeks to address this issue by providing a mechanism for these groups to access more affordable health insurance options.
If this bill becomes law, it could expand access to health insurance for many who currently struggle with high costs, potentially stimulating small business growth and reducing financial strain on self-employed individuals. If it doesn't pass, small businesses and self-employed individuals will continue to face the current challenges in finding affordable and suitable health insurance plans in the existing market.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Allows groups of employers, regardless of industry, to be treated as a single "employer" under federal law (ERISA) for offering health plans.
This makes it legally clearer and easier for diverse small businesses to band together and offer health insurance through a single pooled plan.
PROVISION 02
Explicitly includes self-employed individuals as both employers and employees for the purpose of joining and benefiting from Association Health Plans.
This significantly expands who can participate in these plans, making affordable health coverage more accessible to a large segment of the workforce.
PROVISION 03
Requires Association Health Plans to meet specific criteria, such as having at least 51 employees across member businesses, being in existence for at least two years, and having a formal governing board.
These requirements are designed to ensure the stability, legitimacy, and sound management of these health plans.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits Association Health Plans from denying membership or coverage to employers or individuals based on health status-related factors.
This provision protects individuals with pre-existing conditions from being excluded from coverage offered through these plans.
PROVISION 05
Clarifies that joining an Association Health Plan does not create an employer or joint employer relationship for other federal or state laws.
This offers legal protection to businesses, ensuring their participation in an AHP won't trigger unintended liabilities under other employment laws.
The high cost of health insurance is a major concern for many small businesses and self-employed individuals, often limiting their ability to offer competitive benefits or even secure coverage for themselves. This bill matters because it seeks to address this issue by providing a mechanism for these groups to access more affordable health insurance options.
If this bill becomes law, it could expand access to health insurance for many who currently struggle with high costs, potentially stimulating small business growth and reducing financial strain on self-employed individuals. If it doesn't pass, small businesses and self-employed individuals will continue to face the current challenges in finding affordable and suitable health insurance plans in the existing market.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Allows groups of employers, regardless of industry, to be treated as a single "employer" under federal law (ERISA) for offering health plans.
This makes it legally clearer and easier for diverse small businesses to band together and offer health insurance through a single pooled plan.
high
Explicitly includes self-employed individuals as both employers and employees for the purpose of joining and benefiting from Association Health Plans.
This significantly expands who can participate in these plans, making affordable health coverage more accessible to a large segment of the workforce.
med
Requires Association Health Plans to meet specific criteria, such as having at least 51 employees across member businesses, being in existence for at least two years, and having a formal governing board.
These requirements are designed to ensure the stability, legitimacy, and sound management of these health plans.
med
Prohibits Association Health Plans from denying membership or coverage to employers or individuals based on health status-related factors.
This provision protects individuals with pre-existing conditions from being excluded from coverage offered through these plans.
med
Clarifies that joining an Association Health Plan does not create an employer or joint employer relationship for other federal or state laws.
This offers legal protection to businesses, ensuring their participation in an AHP won't trigger unintended liabilities under other employment laws.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Association Health Plan (AHP)
A health plan offered by a group of employers who join together to provide health coverage to their employees and potentially themselves.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
A federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to protect plan participants.
Self-employed individual
A person who works for themselves, running their own business or working as a freelancer, rather than being an employee of another company.
Group health plan
A health plan that provides medical care to employees and their dependents through an employer or employee organization.
Health status-related factor
Information about an individual's health, such as their medical condition, claims history, genetic information, or disability.
Employer welfare benefit plan
A plan established by an employer or employee organization to provide benefits like medical care, disability benefits, unemployment benefits, or vacation benefits.
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTS
DEC 15, 25
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-409.
COMMITTEE
DEC 15, 25
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 357.
CALENDARS
JUN 25, 25
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
JUN 25, 25
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.