10/01/2008
CONTACT: Bill Vernon, 617-482-1327 or Jason Brewer, 202-406-4435
BOSTON, Mass. -- All or part of the following may be attributed to Bill Vernon, state director of National Federation of Independent Business/Massachusetts, in response to changes made by Gov. Deval Patrick to proposed regulations that would have raised fees on small business.
"Small businesses were stunned this summer by Governor Patrick's proposal to increase the contributions of small business owners to the health insurance system. Small employers are struggling in this shaky economy, and it was the wrong time to suggest a massive new fee increase that would actually hit some employers who are currently offering health insurance coverage to their workers.
"We are grateful the governor listened and acted on these concerns, and altered the new regulations to lessen the impact on small employers in Massachusetts.
"Too often, the first solution to rising healthcare costs has been to stick the bill with taxpayers and employers. It's time for Beacon Hill and the administration to get serious about solutions that contain healthcare costs -- small employers simply cannot continue to absorb new fees, more regulation and double-digit premium increases year after year.
"Small employers are breathing a sigh of relief as the latest proposal to take more money our of their pockets has been put on ice, but as Massachusetts approaches 100 percent coverage, we need a serious concentrated effort to make healthcare more affordable."
