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H.R. 660 108th Congress House

Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003

Official title: To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.

Introduced: February 11, 2003 See on congress.gov
Health Administrative feesAdministrative procedureBankruptcyCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
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Collective bargainingCommerceCongressCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementDelegation of powersDepartment of LaborDiscrimination in insuranceDiscrimination in medical careEconomics and Public FinanceEmployee health benefitsFederal advisory bodiesFederal preemptionFederal-state relationsFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Flexible benefit plansFranchises (Retail trade)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment trust fundsHealth care fraudHealth insuranceInjunctionsInsuranceInsurance agentsInsurance premiumsLabor and EmploymentLabor contractsLabor unionsLawLicensesMedical economicsMedically uninsuredProfessional associationsSmall businessStandardsState lawsState taxationSurety and fidelityTax ratesTaxationTrade associationsTrusts and trusteesValuation
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 23 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 20, 2003
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jun 19, 2003
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 - 162 (Roll no. 296). (text: CR H5598-5604)
Jun 19, 2003
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 19, 2003
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 192 - 230 (Roll no. 295).
Jun 19, 2003
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Jun 19, 2003
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the McCarthy (NY) motion to recommit with instructions.
Jun 19, 2003
Mrs. McCarthy (NY) moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H5636-5637; text: CR H5636)
Jun 19, 2003
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.
Jun 19, 2003
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 660.
Jun 19, 2003
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.
Jun 19, 2003
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 283. (consideration: CR H5597-5638; text of measure as reported: CR H5598-5604)
Jun 19, 2003
Rule H. Res. 283 passed House.
Jun 18, 2003
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.
Jun 16, 2003
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 78.
Jun 16, 2003
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-156.
Jun 12, 2003
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 21.
Jun 12, 2003
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 8, 2003
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 8.
Apr 8, 2003
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 13, 2003
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 13, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Feb 11, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Feb 11, 2003
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 19, 2003 House · vote #296 On Passage Passed 262–162 See who voted →
Jun 19, 2003 House · vote #295 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 192–230 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 failed 1 with no recorded outcome

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 174 – An amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in House Report 108-160 to Require the Department of Labor… Failed Jun 19, 2003
HAMDT 175 – – No recorded outcome –
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 Latest action June 20, 2003

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
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.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 545 Identical bill Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003
  • HRES 283 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 660) to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1…
  • HR 4281 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 42
All 42 Democratic 3 Republican 15
R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Jun 12, 2003
Janklow, William
· Jun 9, 2003
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· May 22, 2003
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· May 21, 2003
NETHERCUTT, GEORGE
· May 6, 2003
TURNER, JIM
· May 6, 2003
SMITH, NICK
· Apr 30, 2003
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Apr 30, 2003
Burns, Max
· Apr 8, 2003
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Apr 1, 2003
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Apr 1, 2003
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Mar 12, 2003
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Mar 11, 2003
Faleomavaega, Eni
· Mar 11, 2003
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Mar 6, 2003
CARSON, BRAD
· Feb 25, 2003
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Feb 25, 2003
CRANE, PHILIP
· Feb 25, 2003
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Feb 11, 2003
BALLENGER, CASS
· Feb 11, 2003
BOEHNER, JOHN
· Feb 11, 2003
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Feb 11, 2003
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Feb 11, 2003
 R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Feb 11, 2003
COLLINS, MAC
· Feb 11, 2003
DeMint, James
· Feb 11, 2003
 R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · Feb 11, 2003
DOOLEY, CAL
· Feb 11, 2003
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Feb 11, 2003
GREENWOOD, JAMES
· Feb 11, 2003
HOUGHTON, AMO
· Feb 11, 2003
Isakson, Johnny
· Feb 11, 2003
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Feb 11, 2003
LUCAS, KEN
· Feb 11, 2003
MCINNIS, SCOTT
· Feb 11, 2003
RADANOVICH, GEORGE
· Feb 11, 2003
SCHROCK, EDWARD
· Feb 11, 2003
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Feb 11, 2003
TIAHRT, TODD
· Feb 11, 2003
Toomey, Patrick
· Feb 11, 2003
 D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Feb 11, 2003
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Feb 11, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 660: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-660/
MLA
"H.R. 660: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-660/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 660, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-660/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 660: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-660/)
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