Issues of the Day

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Van Drew, for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3799, the CHOICE Arrangement Act, which we just voted on tonight.

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, small businesses have ranked the cost of health insurance as their number one problem for 32 years straight. Even our largest employers rank the cost of health insurance and healthcare as a tremendous issue.

Offer rates from small employers with under 50 workers dropped from 39 to 31 percent from 2010 to 2021. This is both unfortunate and alarming because small business owners and employees who drive the American economy with their skills deserve better.

As a physician and a former small business owner myself and a supporter of small businesses, I understand the importance of quality healthcare. I am all for innovative solutions that bring down costs without expanding the power of the Federal Government.

The inaptly named Affordable Care Act doubled down on a broken individual health market that now costs taxpayers more than a trillion a year. The CHOICE Arrangement Act eliminates the need for small businesses to choose between expensive, unaffordable ACA-compliant coverage or no coverage at all.

Furthermore, any business size can offer this type of coverage and employers can offer coverage so that their employees can obtain health insurance. The benefit to employees is--let me say it in three words: portability, cost, and choice.

Of these three, the most important, especially as a physician delivering care, is for patients to have choice. We know with the innovation that has come about through technology that patients want choice now more than ever.

Imagine having an arrangement where you can use your healthcare dollars to get devices that measure your blood sugar rather than having to prick your finger every day, or other things that are not covered necessarily by health insurance or Federal health insurance.

Furthermore, this Act codifies a rule created by President Trump that makes it easier for businesses and self-employed individuals to band together or pool together across State lines to purchase association health plans and expanded health reimbursements.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the CHOICE Arrangement Act, and I look forward to the Senate's swift consideration of this measure.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Miller-Meeks for the work she does and the difference that she makes.

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