Rep. Barletta Applauds Expansion of Health Care Access for Families and Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:

Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today applauded the U.S. Department of Labor's announcement of a final rule that will help millions of Americans obtain quality, affordable health coverage through Association Health Plans (AHPs). AHPs are group health plans that employer groups and associations offer to provide health coverage for their members' employees. They place small businesses on a more level playing field with larger organizations by allowing them greater ability to negotiate for lower health care costs for their employees.

"As a former small business owner, I know that one of the greatest concerns for small employers is providing affordable health care to their employees," Barletta said. "I have long pointed toward the success of groups like the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, who, prior to the implementation of Obamacare, provided health insurance to nearly half of their farmers through an Association Health Plan. The one-size-fits-all structure of Obamacare failed the American people by limiting coverage options and driving up prices. I applaud the Department of Labor for expanding access to Association Health Plans and providing relief to American workers and job creators."

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken similar steps to bring freedom of choice back into the health insurance market. On March 22, 2017, Barletta voted for the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 1101, which passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 236 to 175. Due to their size, large businesses and labor organizations have the ability to negotiate lower costs for high-quality health care for their employees. Small businesses are unable to band together to achieve the same bargaining power. H.R. 1101 empowers small businesses to band together through AHPs and negotiate for lower health insurance costs on behalf of their employees.

In October 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of the Treasury to expand access to affordable health care options. In response, the Department of Labor released a proposed rule in January 2018 to allow small businesses to join together through AHPs.

Click here to watch Barletta question witnesses at a House Education and the Workforce Committee Hearing on the past success of Association Health Plans from the experience of groups like the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.