This week, NFIB Ohio State Director Chris Ferruso testified before the Ohio Senate Insurance Committee on Biomarker Testing Mandate. In his testimony, Ferruso explained why small business owners are concerned about legislation (House Bill 24) that would mandate coverage of biomarker testing for private-sector fully insured health, public employee benefit, and Medicaid plans.

Small business owners’ main concern is the cost of this mandate in addition to the burdensome and expensive business costs and regulations already in effect. The cost of health insurance has been the top issue for small businesses nationwide since 1986.

Ferruso said, “We want to acknowledge that Rep. Andrea White has been very willing to discuss ideas on how to alleviate our issues with House Bill 24. We are immensely appreciative of her willingness to try and address our concerns.

“One example is the addition of uncodified language that speaks to the intent of the General Assembly to not create a landscape that allows for substantially increased pricing. However, this does not completely mitigate one lingering concern: the costs of future tests.”

NFIB offered the committee a recommendation to alleviate small business owners’ fears of runaway costs: look at Ohio Revised Code 3923.52 (D)(2) which relates to reimbursement for mammography screenings.

Ferruso closed saying, “We recognize the long-term health benefits of identifying issues early and getting patients the appropriate treatment. Our members want the best health outcomes for their employees. However, we believe it is appropriate to ensure that we do not create a landscape where biomarker tests become prohibitively expensive when government has mandated coverage.”