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Hinkle disappointed in
governor's
signing of health care assistance bill
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, Republican leader on the House Health Care
Committee, said the governor should have vetoed House Bill 2572 instead
of making small businesses more dependent on government-run health care.
The measure gives a handout to some employees of small businesses
instead of reducing cost and helping business owners provide health care
for their employees. The governor signed this bill in a ceremony today
in Olympia.
“We had a chance as a Legislature to bring help to small businesses with
the Senate version of this bill,” said Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. “The House
Democrats and the governor returned the bill to making small businesses
more dependent on government by giving handouts to employers, forcing
them to purchase government-controlled health plans and denying them the
ability to set up health savings accounts.”
Senate Republicans introduced amendments to E2SHB 2572 that improved the
original House version of the bill. One amendment provided subsidies for
individuals who have health savings accounts (HSAs). Other amendments
allowed health insurers to offer a mandate-free health plan, provided a
tax incentive for small employers who provide health care for their
employees, and eliminated the requirement that subsidized plans be
equivalent to the more costly, state-run Basic Health Plan.
“I’m sorry the governor didn’t see fit to veto this bill and bring true
help to small businesses,” Hinkle said. “The majority is insistent on
keeping government in control of the process. Republicans have been
trying to get government out of health care and bring choice and
competition to the marketplace. With the signing of this bill, we’re
back to health care as mandated by government.
“Employees of small businesses had some hope when they saw the Senate
version of this bill. I’m sorry that the majority didn’t see the wisdom
of keeping the Senate version of this bill,” Hinkle said.
Passing meaningful small group reform to offer more affordable health
care coverage to employees has been part of the House Republican
“Commitment to Washington” laid out at the beginning of the legislative
session.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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