SBE Council Applauds U.S. House Passage of Legislation to Bring Health Coverage Affordability and Choices to Small Businesses

By SBE Council at 18 December, 2025, 5:15 pm

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. - On December 17, the U.S. House passed H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act." The following statement regarding passage of the legislation may be attributed to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan:

"SBE Council applauds Speaker Johnson, Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, and House members who sponsored various measures in H.R. 6703 for their work in advancing a meaningful package that will begin to address the persistent increases in health coverage premiums that strain small businesses. Rather than continuing to layer costly subsidies onto the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) flawed framework, this legislation moves policy in a direction that promotes affordability, flexibility, competition, and innovation in the health insurance market."

"Since enactment of the ACA, premiums have increased nearly 80%. This is unacceptable, especially when ACA supporters promised premium costs would be reduced and choices would proliferate. H.R. 6703 will actually expand access to affordable coverage in several ways. First it will strengthen CHOICE arrangements, which allow employers to contribute tax-free funds for workers to purchase coverage that best fits their needs. Small businesses are also eligible for a tax credit to help offset costs. CHOICE arrangements have already proven effective, with 83% of employers using them to offer health coverage for the first time."

"The bill also brings much-needed transparency to pharmacy benefit managers by requiring clearer disclosure of pricing practices, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions, helping employers and workers better understand where health care dollars are going. Among other important measures, the legislation expands access to Association Health Plans, encouraging greater pooling and by extension more affordable options for small businesses."

"Obamacare's high costs, its flawed approach that is driving premium costs higher and restricting access to care, along with waste and abuse within the subsidy program as documented by the Government Accountability Office, should compel all members of Congress to support responsible changes that will actually bring about the promises made by ACA supporters. The 'Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act' shifts policy in a direction that will bring more affordable choices to the marketplace. SBE Council urges the U.S. Senate to act quickly on the legislation."

Related Content: SBE Council Letter in Support of the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act" (H.R. 6703), December 16, 2025.

CONTACT: Karen Kerrigan, [email protected]

SBE Council is a nonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more than 30 years, SBE Council has advanced a range of private sector and public policy initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.

Visit www.sbecouncil.org for additional information. X: @SBECouncil

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