Congress Looks to SIIA for ACA Reform Input

SIMPSONVILLE, S.C., Feb. 8 -- The Self Insurance Institute of America issued the following news:

The Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc (SIIA) was invited by House Education & Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Health Subcommittee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) to attend a health care reform policy feedback session with committee leadership and staff. Also in attendance was Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), senior member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and primary sponsor of the Small Business Health Fairness Act. This legislation, intended to implement Association Health Plans, would be one of several agenda items for the Committee to include as part of their Affordable Care Act (ACA) reform jurisdiction.

Joined by a select group of employer health care associations, including the National Retail Federation, the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Auto Dealer Association, and the National Association of Home Builders, SIIA was able to engage in a productive dialogue with committee leadership and offer feedback on their upcoming activities related to the ACA.

Among items discussed were coalition support for Rep. Johnson's legislation supporting Association Health Plans (AHPs), a key component of a potential ACA replacement. This AHP legislation is expected to be introduced as a stand-along bill later next week. Importantly, committee staff also discussed self-insurance as one of the three key issues that they will be focusing on within their jurisdiction during the upcoming ACA activity.

While the final agenda has yet to be set, the Education and Workforce Committee is expected to hold a number of hearings and mark-ups related to health care reform. As part of that, the committee will be depending on SIIA and its members as key partners on health care and self-insurance issues. With more information forthcoming, staff has already indicated that SIIA will be asked to participate in the hearing process.

SIIA Government Relations staff will continue to provide important updates on ACA reform across Congress. As we further advocate on your behalf, SIIA will be asking you, our members, to engage and be active on important issues impacting the future of our industry. One way to do so is by attending the upcoming SIIA Legislative & Regulatory Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 3 and 4, during which time SIIA members will be able to meet and hear from Members of Congress, policymakers and regulators.

If you have questions or would like to discuss health care reform issues in more depth, please contact Ryan Work, SIIA Vice President of Government Relations, at [email protected].

[Category: Insurance]

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