The Department of Labor released a proposed rule to allow workers to band together to receive health insurance.
The rule is in response to President Trump's executive order intended to allow people to buy lower-cost health insurance that can circumvent some of the mandates created under Obamacare. It has been billed by supporters as allowing insurance to be sold across state lines.
The proposed regulation would change the definition of "employer" by allowing workers with a "commonality of interest" to join together, such as people who are engaged in the same kinds of trade or business.
Regulations currently stipulate that members have to be in the same industry and that they have to be involved in the day-to-day decisions of a business.
"The goal of the rulemaking is to expand access to affordable health coverage, especially among small employers and self-employed individuals, by removing undue restrictions on the establishment and maintenance of association health plans," according to the proposal.
The Department of Labor is accepting public comments for the next 60 days.
