NASE Advocacy Efforts

NASE Enthusiastically Supports HRA Legislation

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is pleased to provide enthusiastic support for H.R. 5860, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act of 2014, which would allow for standalone health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) for small employers (with 49 employees or less).  The bill was introduced by Representatives Boustany (R-LA) and Thompson (D-CA).

For over a decade, HRAs have been a key tool for small employers to provide their employees with minimal financial assistance for qualified health care expenses.  With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the 2013 decision by the Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor to tie key lifetime or annual limits and coverage of preventive health services to small employers offering an HRA was a gross infringement on the small business community.  The change resulted in a particularly negative impact on small employers with 49 or less employees that are under no legal obligation to provide a qualified healthcare plan for their employees under the employer mandate of the ACA.   

The self-employed and micro-businesses (10 or less employees) that the NASE and the above organizations represent, view the decision by the Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor, as limiting them in trying to do the right thing by providing financial assistance to their employees for health care costs.