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Franchise Community Welcomes U.S. Department of Labor’s Proposed Rule on Small Business Health Plans 

The International Franchise Association applauds Trump Administration for its commitment to better, more affordable health care coverage

Washington, D.C. (January 4, 2018) – The International Franchise Association, the oldest and largest advocate for small and franchise businesses, today praised the United States Department of Labor (DOL) for issuing a proposed rule on small business health plans, which will allow small business owners to join together to buy health insurance. 

“The Trump Administration is making significant strides toward ensuring all Americans have better, more affordable health insurance coverage. In October, franchise business leaders joined President Trump at the White House when he signed an executive order to expand insurance options for small business owners and their employees” said IFA Senior Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs Matt Haller. “The Executive Order and now the proposed rule on small business health plans, will give America’s franchise job creators and their employees access to higher quality, less expensive health insurance policies, creating greater flexibility and cost containment in providing healthcare coverage.” 

The proposed rule issued today by the DOL, would give franchise small business owners greater buying power allowing them to purchase coverage in the “large group” insurance market. The proposed rule permits small business owners to join together through associations, and other organizations if they have a common industry nationwide or a common geographic location. The rule also allows sole proprietors to join small business health plans. 

Previously, small business owners were prohibited from forming small business health plans, forcing them to purchase insurance through the individual market. IFA, alongside the broader business community, has long-supported small business health plans, to create a more competitive marketplace and increase small business owners’ ability to provide affordable health insurance for their employees.

“The proposed rule will benefit the 733,000 franchise establishments and their 7.6 million employees nationwide,” Haller added. “Franchise businesses are hiring and expanding at rapid pace, so it is imperative that they have the ability to provide their employees with quality and affordable health insurance. We look forward to working with the Administration to implement this important new policy.”

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About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

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