Today, Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) hosted a roundtable discussion on the importance of strengthening employer-sponsored insurance, the backbone of our health care system.
During the roundtable, Republican members of the Education and Labor Committee shared their concerns regarding the affordability of employer-sponsored plans. Members cited examples of how onerous Obamacare requirements, market consolidation, and a lack of price transparency have led to rapid inflation in the health care market over the past decade. This is especially true for small companies, which may face record price increases to their health insurance premiums in 2023.
The stakeholders and experts present emphasized the need not only to protect but also strengthen employer-sponsored insurance by implementing policies which will lower costs for patients and businesses. These policies include increasing the use of tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, supporting employers’ ability to manage risk, and supporting association health plans, which allow small businesses to offer lower-cost health insurance.
Members and stakeholders also mentioned the dangers of moving to a single-payer system or Medicare-for-All, which would cost taxpayers $32 trillion over 10 years and eliminate employer-sponsored insurance.
Following the meeting, Republican Leader Foxx said: “Employer-sponsored health insurance provides an estimated 155 million employees and their families with high-quality coverage. The vast majority of Americans on employer-provided health benefit plans are satisfied with their health coverage. Yet, Democrats are actively working to make it harder for job creators to provide health benefits to employees. We need more choice in health care, not less.
“Undermining private insurance to drive more Americans onto Obamacare exchanges overburdens taxpayers and brings our country closer to socialized medicine. To preserve our free-market health care system, we must resist the federal government’s encroachment and protect employer-sponsored insurance."
