Health Coverage Choice Act
The Health Coverage Choice Act would create a federal definition for short-term limited duration insurance (STLDI) as part of the Public Health Service Act. Specifically, it defines STLDI as health coverage under a contract with an expiration date that is less than 12 months after the original effective date, and a total duration (including renewals or extensions) not exceeding 3 years from the original effective date. In short, the bill would establish a clear federal standard for how long STLDI can last, including how renewals count toward an overall 3-year limit. The bill’s text only establishes this definition; it does not specify additional benefits, subsidies, or consumer protections, nor does it address how STLDI would interact with ACA requirements. The sponsor is Mr. Biggs (R-AZ), and the bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new federal definition of short-term limited duration insurance (STLDI) to the Public Health Service Act.
- 2An STLDI contract must have an expiration date less than 12 months after the original effective date.
- 3The total duration of the STLDI, including any renewals or extensions, cannot exceed 3 years from the original effective date.
- 4The definition specifies measurement based on the contract’s original effective date, not on each renewal.
- 5The bill focuses on definitional language and does not amend benefits, subsidies, or consumer protections beyond classification.