The ChamberA look at Health Care Reform through the FM Chamber Lense

A look at Health Care Reform through the FM Chamber Lense

November 20th, 2009 by chamber

As the U.S. Senate takes up its health care bill, following the November 7 passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the House of Representatives, the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead is looking at how the provisions in the bill match up to Chamber goals, as defined in our annual Legislative Agenda.

Key among these goals is support of legislation that expands health insurance availability and affordability, reform of Medicare to address regional payment disparities, and delivery system reforms to promote quality healthcare outcomes.

The healthcare reform subcommittee will meet next week, and will look at the house bill to evaluate provisions related to:
•Employer responsibilities
•Credits for small business
•Assistance for small employers (navigating the exchange)
•Exchange eligibility
•Health Insurance Co-op formation
•Keeping current coverage
•Limits on Health Related expenditures
•Non-electing employer penalties
•Payment Initiatives and Delivery System reform

In August of this year, prior to any votes on health care reform legislation, a survey of Chamber members indicated broad support of a provision to create an exchange model for the purchase of insurance coverage for individuals and employers, establishment of a “minimum” benefits package for insurance sold on the exchange, tax incentives for employers with total payroll of less than $250,000, Medicare reimbursement reform amd linking health care reimbursement to quality healthcare outcomes.

Responses were divided on the creation of a public health option, or the formation of health co-ops, an individual mandate to purchase heath insurance coverage, and establishment of employer penalties for not providing health care benefits to employees.

As we move forward, with a bill likely to be taken up yet this year, we will continue to focus on the priorities of the Chamber: availability, affordability and Medicare payment reform.