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H.R. 742 117th Congress House

FLEX Act

Official title: To require short-term limited duration insurance issuers to renew or continue in force such insurance coverage at the option of the enrollees, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 3, 2021 Introduced by: Ted Budd Republican · North Carolina See on congress.gov
Health Employee benefits and pensionsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessSelf-employedSmall business
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 4, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 3, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 3, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 4, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Flexibility Through Lower Expenses Health Care Act or the FLEX Act

This bill provides statutory authority for certain short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans and association health plans.

The bill permits short-term, limited-duration plans to provide coverage for a period of less than 12 months, not including extensions. Under current law, such plans are exempt from certain market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions.

The bill further permits groups or associations of employers to sponsor fully insured group health plans as if they were employers. Such plans may not discriminate based on the health factors of any prospective plan participant for the purpose of granting an employer's membership in the association or determining a participant's eligibility for benefits or premium amounts.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 896 Association Health Plans Act of 2021
  • HR 8588 Fair Care Act of 2022
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Feb 3, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 742: FLEX Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-742/
MLA
"H.R. 742: FLEX Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-742/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 742, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-742/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 742: FLEX Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-742/)
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