By United States Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana
WASHINGTON (Mar. 13, 2024) – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the Patients Choice Act of 2024 to prevent the Biden administration from restricting short-term, limited duration insurance plans (STLDI) for consumers.
In July 2023, the Biden administration announced a proposed rule to roll back a Trump-administration era policy that allows consumers to buy short-term, affordable health care insurance policies that last for up to 12 months. Trump’s policy allows consumers to renew such plans so that they can access coverage for up to three years. The Biden administration’s rule would limit STLDI contract periods to just four months.
“President Biden’s rule would limit Americans’ freedom to get affordable, short-term health insurance plans that fit their needs. The Patients Choice Act would make sure bureaucrats can’t force Louisianians to pay more for insurance through Obamacare,” said Kennedy.
Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“These insurance plans are designed to provide Americans with temporary, limited, and affordable health coverage while they search for more permanent solutions. This bill stops the Department of Health & Human Services, Labor, and Treasury from imposing burdensome regulations on Americans,” said Self.
STLDI plans allow Americans to access short-term, affordable coverage while they transition from one form of health insurance to another. Currently, STLDI plans provide coverage to more than 1 million Americans.
The Patients Choice Act of 2024 would:
- Stop the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Treasury and Department of Labor from implementing or enforcing its proposed rule.
- Codify the Trump-administration era regulations, which allow STLDI plans to last for 12 months and give consumers the option of renewing or extending coverage for up to 36 months.
Full text of the Patients Choice Act of 2024 is available here.
