The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee last week adopted bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) that would provide improved access to a summary of benefits and coverage explanation for group health plans and health insurance coverage.
“I am pleased that our legislation to arm consumers with better information about their private insurance plans was approved by my colleagues in the Ways and Means Committee,” Rep. Smucker said. “This is an important step forward to give Americans the information they need to make the best health insurance decisions.”
The Readable Insurance Coverage Explanations (RICE) Act, H.R. 8889, which Rep. Smucker and U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Delegate. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), also would require a joint report by the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor related to the summaries of benefits and coverage, according to the congressional record bill summary.
The House Ways and Means Committee adopted H.R. 8889 as part of a manager’s amendment during its Sept. 21 markup. The bill now heads to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
“I urge the House to take up and pass this bill, and I would like to thank Reps. Plaskett and Rice for joining me in introducing this legislation,” said Rep. Smucker.