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Bailey supports small group
insurance reform measure in the House
State
Rep. Barbara Bailey,
R-Oak Harbor, voted today in favor of House Bill 2460 because “it’s a
good start” on a critical issue this legislative session. It passed the
House by a two-to-one margin.
“We must do more to give
working families the health insurance they so desperately want and
need,” said Bailey, ranking Republican on the House Health Care
Committee.
“We can make it easier for small employers to provide health insurance
to hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians by creating health plan
choices that small employers can afford. For more than 10 years, small
business has been clamoring for reforms that will allow them to offer
this important benefit," Bailey said. "The bill we’re voting on today is
an initial step. But we must continue working for further improvements
as the bill moves through the process.”
Bailey pointed to the
Senate’s version of small group reform, SSB 5521, as a starting point
for compromise.
"Our goal should be a law
that will succeed in helping working families get affordable health
insurance that cares for their real needs, right now.”
In her comments to fellow lawmakers, Bailey outlined the real problem
facing small employers and their workers.
“Three out of four people
in Washington work for small employers, and too many of them don’t have
health care coverage. State regulations have made it too expensive for
small employers to offer health insurance to workers and their
families.”
Statistics show that more
people are without health insurance today—in fact, 11 percent of
Washingtonians don’t have health insurance, up from 8 percent just four
years ago. Bailey added that about 75 percent of people who don’t have
health insurance are in working families.
House Bill 2460 would make insurance available to all small employers
with 2 to 50 employees, and existing groups of one could continue small
group coverage as well. It would also allow insurers to sell one health
plan with a limited number of mandates.
No longer would insurers have to include all “state mandated” benefits
in these limited scope and more affordable health plans. Finally, it
would ensure employees stay covered even when they leave
employment—people working for employers with 20 or fewer employees may
apply for individual insurance without completing a new health
questionnaire.
The Senate version would also roll back state mandates for the small
group market with emphasis on the “any category of provider” rule.
Bailey believes this is an important element for discussion.
“People have different needs. Most families just want to be able to see
a doctor or get hospital care if they need it. And as a parent, it’s
important for me to be able to take my child to the doctor for an ear
infection. Let’s put the needs of working families first, and give
employers and workers the right to choose affordable health insurance.
When we do that we’ll be answering the call of small employers and
working families by passing meaningful reforms.”
House Bill 2460 now goes to the Senate for consideration. Bailey voiced
her hope that a compromise could be reached, while acknowledging
significant differences remain.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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