East PDX Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) spoke on the House floor in support of H.R.3799, the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense (CHOICE) Arrangement Act, which passed the House. The proposal seeks to expand options, increase flexibility, and improve affordability of small business health care coverage. This legislation will also reduce administrative burdens and empower small employers to provide the type of health care coverage that works best for their employees.

Click HERE to watch or download the congresswoman’s remarks.

Below is a transcript of Chavez-DeRemer’s remarks:

I rise in support of the CHOICE Arrangement Act.

Small business owners are being hamstrung by soaring health care costs.

I know firsthand because I am a small business owner.

But you don’t have to take my word for it – the data speaks for itself.

In Deschutes County in my district, the average small business premium for a family has increased by 111 percent from 2014 to 2022.

It’s past time to provide small business owners with more options so workers can access cheaper coverage.

We can accomplish this by expanding association health plans and providing more flexibility to ensure employees can get the coverage that fits their needs best.

I’m proud to support small businesses, which create jobs, foster innovation, and keep our economy running strong.

Let’s get this done to ensure these employers can keep their doors open.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Original source can be found here.