Caucus Press Release: House Improves Access to Healthcare
Jan 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
House Improves Access to Healthcare
GOP pushes market-based incentives for small businesses
COLUMBIA -- The House of Representatives has approved a Republican initiative that will allow small businesses to band together to offer health insurance to their employees.
The legislation allows small businesses to partner together and leverage their new size to negotiate healthcare insurance rates currently available to only large businesses.
"These reforms are another conservative, market-based solution to a challenge our citizens and small businesses face," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill. "Allowing these small businesses to create markets so insurance companies can compete for their business is a better way to solve our healthcare problems than government intervention."
The bill was approved unanimously by the House. The reform approved Tuesday completes the second item on the House Republican Caucus' 2008 legislative agenda.
"Access to healthcare is one of the biggest challenges we face as a nation," said Rep. Phil Shoopman of Greer. "Since small businesses are the engine of our state's economy, these changes will make our stateâs entrepreneurs better able to attract and retain the best employees."
Rep. Harry Cato, chairman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, said: "I encourage employers in our state to take advantage of this system once it is passed into law."
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