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Federal Association Health Plans: Will this Proposal Remedy the Health Insurance Crisis?

Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, mk262{at}georgetown.edu

Karl Polzer, MPA

kpolzer{at}cox.net

For many years, some business groups have advocated that the federal government should begin licensing health plans offered by trade associations that would be subject to less stringent regulation than state-licensed insurance products. In recent years, legislation that would make this concept a reality has gained momentum on Capitol Hill. Supporters argue that association health plans (AHPs) are one way to expand access to health insurance and address the rising costs of coverage. President Bush promoted the concept in his 2004 State of the Union address. In May of 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would encourage the growth of AHPs nationally—legislation almost identical to what the House passed in 2003. In this article, we examine the AHP legislation’s key elements including consumer protection standards and oversight. We discuss arguments for and against the legislation and conclude that it is unlikely that it would remedy the problems of rising health insurance costs and the growing number of people without health insurance coverage in the United States.

Key Words: association health plans (AHPs) • federal association health plans • multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) • health insurance premiums • health insurance • employer-based health insurance

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