Blue Dog Coalition Supports Giving Small Businesses Flexibility in Providing Healthcare

WASHINGTON – The Blue Dog Coalition announced their support for H.R. 2911, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act. The legislation seeks to roll back problematic regulations put in place to implement the Affordable Care Act that fine businesses with less than 50 employees for offering Healthcare Reimbursement Agreements (HRAs) to reimburse their employees for healthcare-related expenses. Employees can use these funds to purchase healthcare on the individual market or for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

"This commonsense, bipartisan bill is about choice and affordability," said Mike Thompson (CA-05), the Democratic lead on the bill. "It will allow small businesses to offer Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangements to their workers so they can choose a quality, affordable health insurance plan that fits their individual budget and healthcare needs."

"Small businesses that are not required to provide healthcare under the ACA need other tools in their toolbox to help their employees get the health care they need and that employers want to provide," said Co-Chair for Administration Kurt Schrader (OR-05).

The bipartisan legislation currently has 54 cosponsors – 27 Democrats and 27 Republicans.