The US Senate has passed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act.
The act was passed on 1 October, following passage by the US House of Representatives on 28 September.
Monica Lindeen, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) president and Montana insurance commissioner, testified before US Congress on 9 September in support of the PACE Act.
Lindeen said: “The PACE Act allows states the option to define small group for the purposes of health insurance in a manner that works for each state market.”
“Given the broad bipartisan support in Congress, as well as from insurance regulators and health insurance companies, we are hopeful the president will sign this bill into law quickly.”
The Affordable Care Act changed the definition of "small group" for the purposes of health insurance from an employer with 50 employees or fewer to one with 100 employees or fewer, subjecting mid-sized employers (those with 51 to 100 employees) to new rating restrictions and benefit requirements.
The PACE Act gives states the opportunity to define "small group" in a manner consistent with their state's demographic needs.
