Legislation that would allow alarm companies and other small businesses to band together across state lines to offer health insurance through their membership in associations has been introduced in both houses of Congress. The “Small Business Health Fairness Act” was introduced in the Senate Feb. 16 and was submitted to the House of Representatives earlier in February.
The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) has been a prime lobbyist for the bill, which has also been endorsed by the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA).
The bill would create association health plans (AHP), which would allow groups like the NBFAA to buy thousands of health policies for its members at a lower, bulk cost. AHPs were endorsed by President Bush in his January State of the Union address.
