House Oversight and Government Reform committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Equal Healthcare Access Act on Thursday, which would allow all Americans to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
“The Equal Healthcare Access Act offers Americans access to the same health insurance plans long enjoyed by members of Congress and their families,” Issa said. “This is a free market approach to healthcare with government playing the very limited role of helping small
businesses and individuals come together to get a better price for healthcare – much like larger businesses can already negotiate on their own.”
Issa said the bill would provide more affordable options because the FEHBP uses market comparison and consumer choice to provide health care benefits. In 2014, federal employees will have access to 256 plans nationwide that range in cost and coverage.
Issa said the solvency of the plans would continue to be managed by the Office of Personnel Management, which would enforce standards for care and protect enrollees.
“The American people should have as easy a consumer experience as federal employees do,” Issa said. “People can visit the OPM’s website to see how easy it would be for Americans to compare health insurance prices under this system.”