Sen. Alexander Issues Statement Expanding Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The office of Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration's final rule to expand the availability of short-term health insurance plans:

"Millions of Americans who are between jobs and who pay for their own insurance will welcome this extended option for lower-cost, short-term, renewable policies. During the 1990's, Congress gave states this authority to offer short-term plans, and during most of the Obama Administration short-term plans were available for up to 12 months.

"States will have the option to offer these policies or not, and will have the responsibility to make sure these policies benefit consumers."

This rule from the Department of Health and Human Services does not require congressional action to go into effect. According to the Department, these short-term plans could be available in 60 days in states that choose to exercise that option. The rule allows consumers to buy plans providing coverage for any period of less than 36 months, rather than the current federal maximum period of less than three months.