Government
U.S. senators introduce two association health bills
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 21, 2008
Congressional bills to allow small businesses to form pools to buy health insurance at more affordable rates were introduced earlier this month by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D, Ill.) and Sen. Mike Enzi (R, Wyo.). Enzi's bill, the Small Business Health Plans Act of 2008, would allow businesses, trade associations, unions and churches to form insurance-buying pools. Enrollees could not be asked to pay different rates based on health status. The Dept. of Health and Human Services would issue rating rules for the health insurance pools.
Durbin's bill, the bipartisan Small Business Health Options Program, also would allow small businesses to form insurance-buying pools and would restrict health plans' ability to set premiums based on enrollees' health. But, in addition, it would provide $1,800 tax credits to self-employed individuals or $3,600 for families for buying health insurance. Small businesses that cover 60% of their employees' premiums would receive tax credits of up to $1,000 per employee or $2,000 for family coverage. "Contrary to popular belief, most people who don't have insurance are not out of work -- in fact, they work full time in small businesses that cannot afford health insurance for their workers," Durbin said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/21/gvbf0421.htm.
