Small Business Health Options Awareness Act of 2026 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 5498
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5498Health care coverage and accessHealth care costs and insurance
Small Business Health Options Awareness Act of 2026
INTRO SEP 18· LAST ACTION JUL 2
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to make health insurance more accessible and flexible for small businesses, which are a major source of jobs. Many small businesses struggle to afford traditional health insurance for their employees. If this bill becomes law, more small business owners might learn about ICHRAs, which could provide a different, potentially more affordable or tailored, way to offer health benefits.
If this bill doesn't pass, many small businesses might remain unaware of ICHRAs as a health benefit option, potentially limiting their ability to provide competitive benefits to their employees. By increasing awareness, the bill could lead to more small businesses offering some form of health coverage, which could benefit both employers and their workforce by improving health security and employee retention.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to actively share information about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) with small businesses.
This ensures that small businesses are informed about a potential health benefit option that they might not know about otherwise.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that the SBA use its Small Business Development Centers and district offices to distribute this information.
This targets specific existing channels that already connect with and support small businesses across the country.
PROVISION 03
Requires the SBA to publish ICHRA information on its website, social media, and through press releases.
This broadens the reach of the information, making it easily accessible to a wider audience of small business owners.
PROVISION 04
Defines "appropriate Federal agency" to include the Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor as sources for ICHRA information.
This ensures that the information provided to small businesses is accurate and comes from relevant federal government experts.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to make health insurance more accessible and flexible for small businesses, which are a major source of jobs. Many small businesses struggle to afford traditional health insurance for their employees. If this bill becomes law, more small business owners might learn about ICHRAs, which could provide a different, potentially more affordable or tailored, way to offer health benefits.
If this bill doesn't pass, many small businesses might remain unaware of ICHRAs as a health benefit option, potentially limiting their ability to provide competitive benefits to their employees. By increasing awareness, the bill could lead to more small businesses offering some form of health coverage, which could benefit both employers and their workforce by improving health security and employee retention.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to actively share information about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) with small businesses.
This ensures that small businesses are informed about a potential health benefit option that they might not know about otherwise.
med
Mandates that the SBA use its Small Business Development Centers and district offices to distribute this information.
This targets specific existing channels that already connect with and support small businesses across the country.
med
Requires the SBA to publish ICHRA information on its website, social media, and through press releases.
This broadens the reach of the information, making it easily accessible to a wider audience of small business owners.
low
Defines "appropriate Federal agency" to include the Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor as sources for ICHRA information.
This ensures that the information provided to small businesses is accurate and comes from relevant federal government experts.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Small Business Administration (SBA)
A U.S. government agency that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing resources like loans, counseling, and training.
Small Business Concern
A business that meets specific size standards set by the SBA, typically based on number of employees or annual revenue.
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)
An arrangement where an employer gives employees tax-free money to use for individual health insurance premiums and other medical expenses, allowing employees to choose their own health plan.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Partnerships between the SBA and state or local organizations that provide free consulting and low-cost training to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Appropriate Federal Agency
A federal government department or agency, such as the Treasury, Health and Human Services, or Labor, that is deemed relevant for providing specific information.
ACTION TIMELINE
9 EVENTS
JUL 2
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Small Business, H. Rept. 119-716, Part II.
COMMITTEE
JUN 29
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-716.