119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 6248
The Healthy Competition for Better Care Act prohibits health insurance companies and health plans from entering into anticompetitive contracts with healthcare providers that prevent patients from accessing lower-cost or higher-quality care. Specifically, the bill bars agreements that restrict insurers from steering patients to other providers, offering incentives to use specific doctors or hospitals, or negotiating lower rates independently. The legislation affects group health plans, individual health insurance policies, and employers offering coverage to their workers. The bill includes exceptions for traditional health maintenance organizations and value-based networks like accountable care organizations and centers of excellence, which may use exclusive provider arrangements. Federal regulators at the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have one year from enactment to write detailed regulations implementing the rules, with the restrictions taking effect 18 months after the law is passed.