Small businesses ask Congress to reduce the cost of healthcare

The NFIB presented a legislative plan to improve access to more flexible and affordable health insurance for employers and their employees.

Negocios Now Editorial Staff

The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) has released a new Healthcare Legislative Plan outlining several proposals that Congress should implement to reduce the persistent rise in healthcare costs.

The proposal is designed to protect and improve the ability of small business owners to offer health benefits to their employees.

“For more than 40 years, small business owners have cited the cost of healthcare as their top concern,” said Tyler Dever, senior director of Federal Government Relations at the NFIB.

“They value being able to offer health insurance coverage, and many consider it a key element in attracting and retaining employees. However, the U.S. healthcare system is complex, expensive, and difficult to navigate. Washington continues to push through more mandates, regulations, and uniform policies that encourage industry consolidation, increase costs, and reduce options for patients,” he added.

Dever noted that “the NFIB is urging Congress to address the runaway increase in healthcare costs by implementing immediate and targeted policy reforms that will increase flexibility, affordability, and coverage options for small business owners and their employees.”

The proposal highlights 10 legislative solutions to address rising healthcare costs:

1. Allow small businesses to use medical expense reimbursement agreements, known as CHOICE agreements, which allow for customized health plans.
2. Allow small businesses to pool resources and leverage their purchasing power through Partnership Health Plans (AHPs).
3. Allow health insurance products, such as short-term limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, to be available for longer periods.
4. Expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
5. Eliminate uniform mandates that increase the cost of healthcare and encourage industry consolidation.
6. Implement location-neutral payments to prevent hospital consolidation.
7. Prohibit differential pricing and increase transparency for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
8. Allow cross-state health insurance purchases.
9. Protect small businesses’ access to stop-loss insurance.
10. Increase transparency in hospital pricing so patients know the cost of a procedure before insurance pays for it.

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