Association Health Plans Act

Bill 119 HR 2528, also known as the "Association Health Plans Act of 2019," aims to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide clarification on the treatment of certain association health plans (AHPs) as employers.

The bill seeks to expand access to affordable health insurance for small businesses and self-employed individuals by allowing them to join together through associations to purchase health insurance coverage. This would enable these groups to negotiate better rates and benefits, similar to large employers.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect consumers by ensuring that AHPs meet certain regulatory requirements, such as financial solvency standards and consumer protections. It also aims to prevent fraud and abuse within AHPs by increasing oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Overall, the goal of Bill 119 HR 2528 is to provide more options for individuals and small businesses to access affordable health insurance coverage through AHPs, while also ensuring that these plans meet necessary regulatory standards to protect consumers.