PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 11, 2003
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees.Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination.Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage.Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act.Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law.Revises provisions relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements.Provides for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
People & committees
Rep. Fletcher, Ernie [R-KY-6] · R–KY
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 - 162 (Roll no. 296). (text: CR H5598-5604)
House roll call 296 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 - 162 (Roll no. 296).(text: CR H5598-5604)
House roll call 296 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 192 - 230 (Roll no. 295).
House roll call 295 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the McCarthy (NY) motion to recommit with instructions.
Mrs. McCarthy (NY) moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H5636-5637; text: CR H5636)
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 283, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Kind amendment in the nature of a substitute.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 660.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 660 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 283. (consideration: CR H5597-5638; text of measure as reported: CR H5598-5604)
Rule H. Res. 283 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 283 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 660 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 78.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-156.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-156.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 21.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 8.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.660 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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