WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 1624, the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, authored by Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY). This bipartisan, commonsense legislation will help protect employees from cancelled health plans and rising health care premiums. This bill will also authorize $205 million for the Medicare Improvement Fund, which was cut by the president’s health law. This bipartisan bill was approved by a voice vote.

Speaking in support of the bill on the House Floor, Guthrie explained that the bipartisan effort, “Will protect smaller employers from increased health care costs and will prevent their employees from being forced out of their current health care plans. … I’ve heard from many Kentuckians who would be impacted by this change and their concerns are real.”

Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) added, “Unless this current law is reversed, the disruption in the marketplace will be significant. For example, it is estimated that under current law, more than 3 million employees will experience a double-digit percent increase in their health care premiums. Ultimately, cost increases for small employers will change their choices regarding offering coverage, could change their business model, and will ultimately be felt by millions of workers. Because the impact of current law will vary by state, defining the small group market should be left to the states—which is a policy envisioned in H.R. 1624.

I am pleased to say there is considerable support for this legislation in the House and the Senate.”

The Health Subcommittee recently held a hearing to review the merits of this important legislation.

Keep up with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s legislative accomplishments and its #RecordOfSuccess online HERE.

 

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