[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E597-E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CUSTOM HEALTH OPTION AND INDIVIDUAL CARE EXPENSE ARRANGEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. A. DREW FERGUSON IV

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2023

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under

[[Page E598]]

     consideration the bill (H.R. 3799) to amend the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for health reimbursement 
     arrangements integrated with individual health insurance 
     coverage:

  Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3799, the CHOICE 
Arrangement Act.
  According to research by NFIB, small businesses have ranked the cost 
of health insurance as their number one problem for 32 straight years. 
Republicans are spearheading innovative health care solutions to bring 
down health care costs for small businesses.
  The CHOICE Arrangement Act does a great job giving employers more 
choices and flexibility in how they help provide health coverage for 
their employees, without Washington being involved.
  In 2019, the Trump Administration finalized rules that allow 
employers to establish ``Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement 
Arrangements'' for their employees. These ICHRAs are employer-funded 
arrangements that employees can use to purchase their own health 
insurance plan in the individual market and pay for out-of-pocket 
medical expenses.
  The CHOICE Arrangement Act appropriately codifies these regulations, 
ensuring that this option will remain available.
  While employers of all sizes may find this approach of interest, it 
is particularly important as a means for small employers to offer 
health coverage for employees and their families without having to 
manage a complex health insurance plan and with more predictable costs.
  The different health insurance choices available, such as CHOICE 
Arrangements, Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement 
Arrangements, or the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, are unknown 
to 70 percent of small businesses. This measure would ensure that those 
businesses be notified about these options' availability and their tax 
advantages so that they can decide how best to serve their employees' 
health care preferences.
  These arrangements also help facilitate coverage portability, because 
employees can continue their individual health Insurance plan if they 
change jobs.
  The current regulations also allow the flexibility for employers to 
offer to employees both an ICHRA and excepted benefit coverage, such as 
dental or vision coverage. I am pleased this bill will preserve the 
same option to have both CHOICE Arrangements and these other benefits.
  The CHOICE Arrangement Act includes other provisions similarly 
designed to assist small employers and their employees with respect to 
health coverage options. I urge support for this important measure to 
provide options for American workers and families.

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