PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by News Release
03/14/2008
House Democrats propose the "Pennsylvania Access to Basic-Care" healthcare plan
The House Democrats released a healthcare plan similar to the governor's "Cover All Pennsylvania" proposal, with one notable exception: The proposal does not levy a payroll tax on small business owners. The "Pennsylvania Access to Basic-Care" (PA ABC) goal is to link the medical malpractice insurance abatement program with providing healthcare to low-income workers. The plan is expected to expand the AdultBasic program to insure an additional 80,000 individuals.
In order to be eligible for the plan, you must be a legal resident in Pennsylvania for 90 days, uninsured for 180 days, ineligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance and be between 19-64 years in age. The plan would require individuals and employers to share the monthly premium.
The plan contains grants to businesses who meet the following criteria: small businesses with 2-50 employees, average salary of all employees below 300 percent of the federal poverty level and enrollment of at least 50 percent of eligible employees in the PA ABC plan. The grants are to be an incentive for small-business owners to obtain healthcare for their workers.
However, our review of the proposal suggests the PA ABC plan fails to address the factors driving up the cost of healthcare in Pennsylvania. First, the plan does not allow small businesses to purchases insurance by pooling with other small businesses. Secondly, it does not provide for a mandate-free basic insurance plan which would provide younger uninsured individuals the option of a low-cost catastrophic plan. It does not include any additional tax-credits for HSAs. Finally, transparency is not mentioned -- a necessary component which would allow consumers to compare the cost of the most common healthcare services and treatments.
For more information, contact Gwenn Dando.
NFIB launches national campaign to drive healthcare reform
NFIB has launched Solutions Start Here, an aggressive healthcare campaign that will urge policymakers to deliver real and meaningful healthcare reform at the federal level for small business. Kicking off the campaign, NFIB sent a letter today to the presidential candidates challenging them to develop reform proposals that support the backbone of the U.S. economy -- small businesses
More than 15 years ago, comprehensive reform was introduced that did not adequately consider the unique situation of small businesses. Finding real solutions requires the cooperation of diverse, bipartisan groups willing to work together for change. Over the past decade, insurance premiums have continued to increase each year, jumping 129 percent in the last eight years. Today, small business owners, a voting bloc larger than soccer moms and NASCAR dads, are insisting that action be taken to address their healthcare crisis.
For comprehensive healthcare reform to become a reality, the unique needs of small business must be fully addressed. This is especially clear based on the results from a national survey conducted by NFIB, which measured the voting strength of small business and showed that healthcare is their most significant issue.
Forty-three percent of voters polled were part of the small business community, a significantly greater percentage than union members (11.9 percent), and trendy segments, such as soccer moms (5 percent) and NASCAR dads (2 percent).
Fifty-three percent of small business voters, defined as owners and their employees, agree that healthcare is the "most important factor" in determining their vote.
Nearly 81 percent of small business owners say that finding affordable healthcare for themselves and their employees is a challenge, with 16 percent saying it is their greatest challenge.
Seventy-one percent of small business voters believe that healthcare should be a top priority for the next president.
For more information go to www.fixedforamerica.com/.
Mark your calendar: Small Business Day at the State Capitol, Tuesday, April 1
We have invited Gov. Ed Rendell, key members of his cabinet and administration, Attorney General Tom Corbett, legislative leaders and key state Senate and House lawmakers to talk about changes to the state's tax code and the unemployment compensation law to help reduce the cost of doing business in Pennsylvania. In addition, your visibility and your voice in Harrisburg can help us stop proposed mandates that would make it more difficult to run and grow your company. Sign up today!
NFIB has invited UC Board of Review member Eileen Melvin to explain the Unemployment Compensation law, the hearing process and common mistakes that small employers make in the workplace. Last June, we hosted a similar event with Eileen. Members who participated told us it was the most helpful seminar NFIB has ever done and has saved them time and money. For additional information, please contact Gwenn Dando or sign up today!
Let your voice be heard, register to vote! Pennsylvania's primary is on April 22. It is a great time to register to vote so you can help elect pro-small business lawmakers.
Sincerely,
Kevin Shivers, State Director
Gwenn Dando, Assistant State Director
