Health Care Reform

SUMMARY

The IFA supports legislative efforts to increase the access and affordability of health insurance for franchised businesses and its employees. Specifically, the IFA supports policies that will:

Employ market-based reforms to expand competition and choice in all markets for the purchase of private health insurance
Provide tax incentives to assist with the purchase of health insurance
Increase the healthcare options and products available to employers and employees
Lead to increased transparency for consumers

In the past, the IFA has strongly advocated for legislation to create Small Business Health Plans (SBHPs), which would allow employers to offer health insurance to their employees through the employer’s membership in an association, or association-like group (such as a franchise system). Providing a framework for small businesses to join together, SBHPs would enable small employers to compete on a more level playing field with other businesses by spreading risk among a much larger group, strengthening negotiating power with plans and providers, and reducing administrative costs.

IFA has also supported legislation that would create and expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and adopt interoperable health information technology (Health IT) to lower the costs of health care in the U.S. Given the current political climate in Washington, initiatives like SBHPs and HSAs may no longer be viable. However, the IFA continues to remain active and monitors ongoing health care reform discussions through involvement in bipartisan and diverse coalitions.

Healthcare coverage options for franchise systems are often unaffordable or inadequate. The root of the problem is that the health care costs and premiums have been rising much faster than the rate of inflation or the rate of employee wages. In addition, federal and state regulations often keep affordable healthcare coverage from being available to small employers or individuals.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

NEW! - IFA Webinar on Health Care Reform Developments - March 15, 2010

NEW! - Four Ways the Senate Health Care Bill Raises Taxes, New Burdens on Franchised Businesses- March 10, 2010

IFA Key Vote Letter on H.R. 3590 - Dec. 19, 2009

Health Insurance Fee is a Tax on Small Businesses - Dec. 14, 2009
IFA Coalition Letter to Senate on Health Care Reform - Dec. 7, 2009
What the Senate Health Care Bill Means for Franchising - Nov. 20, 2009

Side-By-Side Comparison of Major Provisions in House-Passed H.R. 3962 and Sen. Reid's Senate Bill - Provided by the Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage - Nov. 19, 2009

Sample Letter to Congress - Nov. 2, 2009