Federal Leaders Highlight CHOICE Arrangement Program

State Representative Tim Barhorst (R-Ft. Loramie) on Friday last week attended a meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who discussed the federal healthcare CHOICE arrangements, formerly known as Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) – a system to provide employers and workers with flexibility when deciding on health insurance.

Representative Barhorst is supportive of implementing a similar effort here in Ohio. House Bill 133, co-sponsored by Rep. Barhorst, would authorize a non-refundable tax credit for small employers who offer ICHRAs to their employees. The legislation works to encourage small businesses to adopt ICHRAs, helping to reduce the uninsured population, lower healthcare costs for employers, improve employee satisfaction, and expand healthcare choice and accessibility across Ohio.

“The choice arrangement would make health insurance more affordable for small business owners to offer,” Barhorst said.

The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 133, and the bill awaits further consideration in the Ohio Senate.