A health care mandate that big businesses claim will hurt their bottom line should provide exemptions for all employers, not just the ones with the most political clout, said the Vermont chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today.
“We agree with the Governor and corporate CEOs that the health care exchange will drive up costs. What we don’t understand is why only a favored class of business qualifies for special treatment,” said Shawn Shouldice, who serves as the State Director for NFIB/VT.
Governor Shumlin announced Monday his proposal to include ‘bronze level’ insurance plans in the Exchange. He also announced based on testimony from the Chamber of Commerce that larger employers will be exempt from the state-run exchange. They’ll be able to bypass the system altogether because they predict that the requirement will raise the cost of doing business in Vermont.
“This really undermines the argument that this reform will reduce health care costs,” said Shouldice. “Big businesses are obviously doubtful and that’s why they want an exemption. NFIB/VT members have the same concerns and this carve-out really looks like favoritism.”
http://vtdigger.org/2012/02/08/small-business-group-questions-exchange-exemption-for-larger-employers/
Hat tip: VTDigger.org
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