Phase Three Is Underway

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The House Republican Conference issued the following news release:

House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the House passed the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 372) and the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017 (H.R. 1101).

These two bills are part of phase three in Republicans' three-phase process to repeal and replace Obamacare. Visit PasstheBill.gop to learn more about this process.

"We promised the American people that we would repeal Obamacare, and replace it with a 21st Century health care system that puts them -- not the federal government -- at the center. It's a three-phase process, including budget reconciliation, actions by HHS Secretary Tom Price, and additional legislation, like the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017 and the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017, to drive down costs for all Americans.

"Obamacare has made health care less accessible and more expensive for people across this country, and some of the hardest hit by the mandates and regulations were small businesses. Thanks to the leadership of Reps. Johnson and Walberg, out-of-pocket costs faced by small business owners and employees can be better managed through association health plans. Additionally, removing anti-trust exemptions helps pave the way for long-needed reforms, such as selling insurance across state lines, and encourages more competition and more choice in insurance plans. I'm thankful for Rep. Gosar's expertise as a former health care provider, and his continued leadership on this reform. With their help, and with the input of the American people through their elected representatives, we are creating a better health care future for every person in this country."

NOTE: The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 372), introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), will amend the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempts the health insurance industry from anti-trust laws. The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017 (H.R. 1101). Introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), this bill would allow small business employers to band together through association health plans (AHPs) in order to purchase quality health care at a lower cost.

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