Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Why ICHRA Is Gaining Momentum With Employers and Public Entities
Jan 26, 2026
Jack Hooper, CEO and co-founder of Take Command, builds software to run Individual Coverage HRAs. He explains how ICHRA’s defined-contribution model boosts employee choice and helps employers control costs. He discusses real savings from public employers, insurer responses, and why ICHRA adoption could mirror the shift to 401(k)-style benefits.
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From FBI To Founding Take Command
- Jack Hooper described moving from the FBI to health insurance and founding Take Command after personal experiences with unexpected twin births.
- His family's financial shock led him to help people navigate ACA plans and later to build ICHRA administration tools.
ICHRA Enables Defined Contribution Benefits
- ICHRA is not just another HRA variant; it enables true defined-contribution health benefits like a 401(k) model.
- Employers set allowances and employees buy local individual plans, creating flexibility at employer and employee levels.
West Virginia County's Cost-Savings Example
- Monongalia County in West Virginia moved from traditional group coverage to ICHRA and reported saving about $700,000 in one year.
- Employees' premiums dropped roughly 7%, illustrating a public-entity success story for ICHRA adoption.