A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act," aims to amend the Employment Retirement Income Security Act. It mandates the creation of a Benefits Assistance Program within the Department of Labor by January 1, 2027. This new program is designed to improve access to benefits under employee welfare benefit plans. The program will handle inquiries and complaints regarding benefit determinations and plan violations. Additionally, the bill establishes new filing fees for single-employer employee welfare benefit plans. It also updates notice requirements for certain plans.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill establishes a program to help participants navigate appeals and understand their rights to benefits.
- Scored +2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The program assists beneficiaries in navigating the appeals process for denied health and welfare benefits.
- Scored +2
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill strengthens the ability of workers to advocate for their rights under employer-provided welfare plans.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes new filing fees on single-employer welfare benefit plans, which may burden smaller plan administrators.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill creates a new Benefits Assistance Program which will require government expenditure for operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Access to Benefits: The establishment of a Benefits Assistance Program is intended to improve access to benefits under employee welfare benefit plans (Section 2, a).
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Assistance with Denied Benefits: The program will directly help participants and beneficiaries file appeals for denied benefits and help them navigate the appeals or review process (Section 2, b, 3).
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Clarification of Rights: The program will assist participants and beneficiaries in understanding their rights to benefits and the availability of internal appeals and external reviews (Section 2, b, 2).
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Complaint Resolution: The program will establish a process for receiving inquiries or complaints regarding adverse benefit determinations or alleged violations of plan terms and provisions (Section 2, b, 1).
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Support for Information Sharing: The program will inform State health insurance consumer assistance offices or ombudsmen of the results of inquiries or complaints received via referral (Section 2, b, 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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New Costs for Plan Administrators: Administrators of single-employer employee welfare benefit plans must pay a filing fee when filing annual reports or notices (Section 3, a, 1).
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Specific Fee Burdens: Depending on the size of the plan, fees are set at $250 for plans with fewer than 100 participants, $500 for plans with 100 to 499 participants, and at least $1,000 for all other plans (Section 3, a, 2).
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Potential for Increased Fees: The Secretary of Labor has the authority to increase these filing fees through future regulations (Section 3, a, 2, B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The program assists beneficiaries in navigating the appeals process for denied health and welfare benefits. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill strengthens the ability of workers to advocate for their rights under employer-provided welfare plans. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides tools for employees to secure benefits they are entitled to under their employer plans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports that disaggregate data regarding benefit inquiries and complaint outcomes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority and administrative duties of the Secretary of Labor through a new assistance program.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes a program to help participants navigate appeals and understand their rights to benefits. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill improves the administration and recourse for health-related benefit determinations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes new filing fees on single-employer welfare benefit plans, which may burden smaller plan administrators. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill creates a new Benefits Assistance Program which will require government expenditure for operations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By securing access to denied benefits, the bill helps protect the financial stability of beneficiaries.
- 7/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House