H.R. 708 – State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:09 PM UTC

The State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017 changes federal rules on how much health‑insurance premiums can vary by age. It lets states set a higher maximum age‑rating ratio—up to 5 to 1 or another ratio they choose—for adult enrollees in plans that start on or after January 1, 2018. This affects insurers that sell individual or small‑group coverage and the consumers who pay those premiums.

Key Provisions

Amends the Public Health Service Act to add language allowing a 5 to 1 maximum age‑rating ratio (or another ratio the state decides) for adult health‑insurance premiums, replacing the previous 3 to 1 limit.
Applies to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, giving each state the option to set its own permissible age‑rating ratio.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 3, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 27, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 3, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 27, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 708

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 27, 2017

Mr. Bucshon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017.

2.

Change in permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates

Section 2701(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg(a)(1)(A)(iii)), as inserted by section 1201(4) of Public Law 111–148, is amended by inserting after 3 to 1 for adults (consistent with section 2707(c)) the following: or, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, 5 to 1 for adults (consistent with section 2707(c)) or such other ratio for adults (consistent with section 2707(c)) as the State involved may provide.