H.R.379 - Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.379, the Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act, seeks to nullify a final interagency rule concerning Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance (STLDI) and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage. The rule in question was published on April 3, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 23338). The bill aims to eliminate the force or effect of this rule.
Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 14, 2025, the bill was referred to multiple committees for consideration. These committees include the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Education and Workforce, and the Committee on Ways and Means.
The bill's primary objective is to provide individuals with more healthcare choices by removing restrictions imposed by the specified rule.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.379 would invalidate the regulations concerning STLDI and related benefits coverage. This would likely lead to a wider availability of these types of insurance plans.
Consumers might have access to more affordable, albeit potentially less comprehensive, healthcare options. The insurance market could see shifts in enrollment patterns as individuals weigh the costs and benefits of different plans.
Potential Benefits
- Increased consumer choice in healthcare plans.
- Potentially lower premiums for some individuals seeking short-term coverage.
- Reduced regulatory burden on insurance providers offering STLDI plans.
- Greater flexibility for individuals who do not need or cannot afford comprehensive coverage.
- Could lead to innovation in the types of healthcare plans offered.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for reduced consumer protections and coverage gaps.
- Risk of adverse selection in the insurance market, potentially raising premiums for comprehensive plans.
- May undermine the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) goals of expanding comprehensive health insurance coverage.
- Could lead to confusion among consumers regarding the scope and limitations of STLDI plans.
- Possibility of increased out-of-pocket expenses for individuals with STLDI plans who require extensive medical care.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8). The extent to which the nullified rule falls under or exceeds this power could be debated. Additionally, arguments could be made regarding the balance between federal regulation and individual liberty, potentially invoking the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
The bill itself does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as those protected by the First Amendment or the Bill of Rights. However, the broader implications for healthcare access and affordability could raise concerns related to the general welfare clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).