Hearing on Health Insurance Premiums

NFIB testified at the Insurance Commission on behalf of RI small
business owners regarding 2015 health insurance premiums. As a small business
owner, you are well aware of the high cost of health insurance in Rhode Island.
In fact, most employers say that the cost of health insurance and health care
is their #1 concern. On June 17, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
accepted public comments on the proposed health insurance rate increases for
2015 offered by Rhode Island’s healthcare carriers. The proposed premium
increases for 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFIB remarked that premium increases for small business
owners directly impact the state’s job growth. Rhode Island already has the
highest unemployment rate in the nation and higher healthcare costs will only
further damage the state’s business climate.

 

 

NFIB asked that when considering rate increases,
Commissioner Hittner include consideration of the  economic impact on small business already
paying relatively high premiums. It was also requested that cost savings
measures, like global payments and expanded consumer choice, should be required
as steps to lower premiums. 

 

 

This was an opportunity for small business owners to comment
on their rates before they have been officially set and a good opportunity to
weigh-in on the impact of the increasing cost of health insurance on job
providers. We encourage you to take an opportunity to send along written
comments to the Office of Health Insurance. Written comments can be submitted
via email to [email protected].