NFIB’s state director for North Carolina, Gregg Thompson, says legislation filed today in the state Senate would address one of the most persistent problems facing North Carolina’s small business community.
“Senate Bill 86 would be a big help to a lot of small businesses that are struggling to find affordable health insurance for their employees,” Thompson said. “Year after year, our members have ranked the cost of health care as the most critical issue facing their business.” According to NFIB’s most recent Small Business Problems and Priorities survey, conducted in 2016, 52.3% of respondents said it was their No. 1 concern; unreasonable government relations was No. 2 with 33.4%.
S.B. 86 would let business associations representing related professions or specific regions or metropolitan areas form association health plans. “This legislation would make it possible for more businesses to offer health benefits to their employees and their families,” Thompson said.
