Healthcare
Issue Overview: The cost of healthcare continues to be the No. 1 concern for small business owners, not only in Ohio, but also across the nation. NFIB's Small Business Problems and Priorities, published every four years, indicates that rising healthcare costs continues to be the top concern, with two-thirds of business owners identifying the problem to be at a crisis level.
Healthcare Reform Packages
Issue Background: As national and statewide political debates focus on major healthcare reforms, a number of proposals are being discussed to specifically address the healthcare system in Ohio. The Ohio House Health Care Access and Affordability Committee recently released its findings along with a number of ideas on how to address the problems it uncovered. In addition, Gov. Strickland has promised to unveil a separate plan that would also work to address the problems of access and affordability.
NFIB Position: NFIB has strongly urged that any reforms to the healthcare system be market-based solutions that avoid government-run healthcare and costly mandates. In addition, NFIB members have also supported using existing tax dollars to incentivize more people to purchase coverage while also engaging in healthy behaviors that will ultimately reduce healthcare costs for everyone.
Issue Status: Legislation has been introduced as a result of the House Health Care Access and Affordability Committee. NFIB is monitoring this legislation as it does contain a number of proposals that might be beneficial to Ohio's small businesses.
What to do: Check back at www.nfib.com/OH as updates become available.
Mandate-Light Health Coverage/Group Pooling
Issue Background: NFIB is working with the insurance community to create health-insurance plans for small employers that would allow small business owners to provide mandate-free coverage for their employees. This option, coupled with a provision to allow NFIB members from around the state to pool risk in purchasing group health insurance, is estimated to save small employers significant money on their health insurance premiums.
NFIB Position: NFIB supports efforts to allow more flexible options for small business owners to provide healthcare coverage for employees. In addition, NFIB supports efforts to allow small businesses to pool together in groups to buy health insurance.
What to Do: Call members of the Ohio House and Senate, and urge them to support legislation that will help small businesses provide health insurance that best fits their needs. Check back regularly for updates.
Incentive/Tax Credits
Issue Background: A concept that has been tried at both the state and federal level is to provide tax credits and/or set-offs for those small employers that provide health insurance for employees.
NFIB Position: NFIB supports the effort to incentivize small business owners to provide healthcare coverage. NFIB will pursue legislation to eliminate the premium tax -- a tax charged by the State of Ohio on all small-group health insurance plans.
What to Do: Check back at www.nfib.com/OH as legislation is introduced.
Behavior-Driven Healthcare
Issue Background: As healthcare costs continue to rise, studies have shown that significant savings could be achieved by addressing preventable behavior-driven conditions in their early stages. Behavior-driven healthcare would employ discounts and monetary incentives for individuals who engage in healthy activities (such as weight-loss programs, smoking cessation programs and exercise regimens). Employers and employees who participate in these activities could achieve lower premium costs.
NFIB Position: NFIB supports individual accountability and responsibility in the health insurance market and believes that creative solutions such as behavior-driven healthcare could save employers and employees on overall healthcare costs.
What to Do: Check back at www.nfib.com/OH as legislation is introduced.
No New Mandates
Issue Background: NFIB has always rejected attempts by the legislature to force small business owners to offer certain types of healthcare coverage. Mandates increase the cost of insurance, reduce the flexibility for employers to work with their employees to design a product that suits their needs and unfairly target small business as large self-insured employers and union-negotiated contracts receive a federal exemption from state mandates. NFIB will continue to fight this battle and to educate legislators on the high cost of health insurance.
NFIB Position: NFIB opposes new healthcare mandates on small business owners.
Current legislation: Three pieces of legislation that have been introduced by state Rep. Ted Celeste would impose new mandates on health insurers in Ohio. House Bill 170 would mandate coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. House Bill 384 would mandate coverage of substance abuse, addiction and mental illness treatment and diagnosis. In addition, House Bill 294 would mandate coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Finally, House Bill 137, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Schneider, would mandate coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
Issue Status: House Bill 137, 170, 384 and 294 are awaiting hearings in the Ohio House of Representatives.
What to Do: Contact members of the Ohio House and Senate to ask them to vote 'no' on additional healthcare mandates on small businesses. Also, check back at www.nfib.com/OH for updates on healthcare mandates.
