Bill · H.R. 9798· House(119-HR-9798)
Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act
- Introduced
- 7/21/2026
- Last activity
- 7/21/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Allen
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act aims to change how employer-sponsored health plans operate. It seeks to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act. The primary goal is to exempt certain employer-sponsored group health plans governed by ERISA from the Essential Health Benefits requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Under this bill, these plans would not be required to provide coverage for those specific benefits solely because of the federal requirement. Employers claiming this exemption would have to provide annual notices to participants regarding their coverage. These changes would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028.
Yes
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill provides increased regulatory flexibility for employers managing their group health plans.
The opposite
Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act?-6
The bill exempts employer-sponsored plans from the Essential Health Benefits requirements established by the Affordable Care Act.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?-3
Middle-income households receiving employer-sponsored insurance may lose coverage for essential health benefits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased flexibility for employer-sponsored plans: Under Section 2, group health plans sponsored by an employer and governed by ERISA would no longer be required to provide coverage for Essential Health Benefits described in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
-
Voluntary coverage remains an option: Section 5 clarifies that this Act does not prohibit an employer from voluntarily choosing to provide all or part of the Essential Health Benefits.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of mandated essential benefits: Under Section 2, employer-sponsored group health plans would not be required to provide coverage for the Essential Health Benefits described in section 1302(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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Requirement for new annual notices: Section 4 requires that any group health plan claiming this exemption must annually provide participants with a notice that includes a description of benefits, identification of any Essential Health Benefits not covered, cost-sharing information, and instructions for obtaining the Summary Plan Description.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Increases Affordable Care Act Support-6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Middle Class Households-3
- 7/21/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House