Health Care Insurance for Business
Issue Overview: There will be several bills this year addressing change in health care. These bills will do many things. Here are some of the things we are looking for to help small business:
- Transparency: Consumers want to know how much it costs for the services they are going to receive. They want to compare different providers not only with the cost of the service but also the quality of those services. We would like to see this transparency made available to Insurance Companies, Employers and Consumers.
- Enrollment of those who qualify for existing government programs but are not yet enrolled: Of the 300,000 uninsureds in the state of Utah many would qualify for existing programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program or Medicaid but have not taken advantage of it. If they need health care services, they know they can go to a hospital emergency room and receive service, it must be covered by the hospital. Hospitals pay for this by increasing the cost to provide services for those who are covered with insurance and can pay for the service.
- Mandate-lite insurance products: NFIB/Utah would like to see more flexibility for the insurance carriers to tailor products for small business that are more affordable.
- Tax credits for health insurance products for everyone: Currently tax credits are available for employers who purchase insurance for their employees but there are no credits available for those who purchase insurance on their own.
NFIB Position: NFIB/Utah has not taken a position on any specific bills yet. We will notify you when a position has been taken.
What to Do: Please notify your Member Services Manager Kim Noble if you are willing to call your legislators when action needs to be taken.
