NAIC Summer National Meeting
States Are Moving on ICHRA — and They Aren't Waiting
Standing room only. On August 11, the Insurance Choice & Affordability Alliance brought together policymakers and regulators from more than 10 states for a frank conversation about ICHRA (now referred to as CHOICE) — and the energy in the room made one thing clear: states are done waiting.
Held during the NAIC Summer National Meeting, the session put regulators, industry leaders, and state officials in the same room to talk plainly about what ICHRA means for consumers, employers, and state markets.
"ICHRA gives working people real choice in their coverage, and states don't have to wait to make that option available," said Ohio State Representative Meredith Craig, who led the effort to secure NCOIL's groundbreaking ICHRA model legislation.
"Employers and consumers benefit when the individual market works well and people understand the options in front of them," said Peter Nelson, Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. "Conversations like this one — with the regulators closest to these markets — are how that happens."
Georgia came with a working model. "Georgia has been aggressive about finding coverage that works for small businesses," said Martin Sullivan, Chief of Staff to Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King. "Georgia Access for Business lets an employer contribute what they can afford and lets the employee choose the plan. It's new, and we're excited."
That is the story taking shape across the country: employers contributing what they can, employees choosing what fits, and states building the framework to make it work.
ICAA is an independent, nonprofit alliance advancing ICHRA awareness and acceptance. We are here to broaden the tent and make sure employers, employees, policymakers, and regulators have accurate information and a real seat at the table. August 11 delivered exactly that.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our co-host, the American InsurTech Council. There is much more ahead.
