VoterlyH.R. 1101: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017
115th Congress · Sponsored from Texas · In committee
What this bill does
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for the establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans sponsored by business associations. The bill establishes requirements for AHPs relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation and coverage, nondiscrimination, contribution rates, and voluntary termination. AHPs offering benefits that are not health insurance must: (1) establish and maintain sufficient reserves and stop-loss insurance to cover those benefits, and (2) make annual payments to a fund to be used to pay for stop-loss insurance for such AHPs for which there is a reasonable expectation that claims would not be satisfied without such insurance. AHPs that fail to meet these requirements are subject to termination. The Department of Labor must establish a Solvency Standards Working Group. States may tax contributions to AHPs, with certain conditions. The bill preempts state laws that preclude health insurers from: (1) offering health insurance in connection with a certified AHP; or (2) offering health insurance of the same policy type to other employers in the state that are eligible for coverage under AHPs. (Sec. 4) The bill establishes criminal penalties for willfully making false representations regarding an AHP.
Key facts
- Status In committee
- Introduced 2017-02-16
- Policy area Health
- Cosponsors 37
- Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sponsor
Who funds the sponsor?
Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] introduced H.R. 1101. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.
See Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]'s donors & voting record →
Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.
Take a position & compare alignment
Agree or disagree with H.R. 1101? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.
Read the official text on Congress.gov →
Frequently asked questions
What does H.R. 1101 do?
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for the establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans sponsored by business associations. T…
Who sponsored H.R. 1101?
Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] (R) of Texas is the lead sponsor.
How do I find out who funds or lobbies for H.R. 1101?
Campaign-finance records (Federal Election Commission) show who funds the bill's sponsor. Separately, federal lobbying disclosures filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act list the companies and lobbyists who reported lobbying on specific bills. Voterly links the sponsor's donors; lobbying records are public at the U.S. Senate and House lobbying databases.
Is H.R. 1101 now law?
Not yet. The current status is "In committee." See the latest action above for details.