Yesterday the North Carolina Senate committees on Health and Pensions passed Senate Bill 24, legislation titled “Government Mandates Increase Healthcare Costs.” The legislation ensures that if any new mandates are passed, an equal number must also be repealed to help offset the cost. In addition, the bill protects taxpayers and the State Health Plan by ensuring that any new mandate also contains funding to pay for its added cost.
Business leaders from across the state spoke in favor of the legislation. Here is what they are saying:
Greg Thompson, North Carolina NFIB: “Every time that an insurance mandate bill is passed, it's going to increase the cost of insurance to employers. Over the years that I've been state director representing independent business owners, the one of the top three issues that we have dealt with is the cost of health insurance. One thing that we've got to remember is that the small employers want to provide the insurance and it's something that is difficult to do and high cost. And I just appreciate the fact that you have introduced this bill and it will certainly help the employers.”
Mark Coggins, NC Chamber: “Employer sponsored healthcare is essential to retain a talented workforce. Businesses and the people they employ are the real payers to the healthcare system and they want accessibility, predictability, and affordability in their healthcare. Increased costs in the system through…additional mandates do not help us maintain our competitive position as a state.”
Jeff Hastings, Small Business Owner: “I applaud you for this bill, for the transparency it's going to offer. Now we can reimagine trying to figure out how we can offer our employees healthcare. Attracting talent is hard enough and…this certainly is going to be a benefit to me and many other small employers in the state.”
Peter Daniel, North Carolina Association of Health Plans: “When it comes to health care, North Carolina is the most expensive state in the most expensive nation in the world. Every mandate comes with a cost that must be captured in the marketplace…I suspect many in this room feel the way I do when they see Forbes ranking us as the highest cost state. This is a list that no North Carolinian wants to be on. Something needs to change.”
Tom Freidman, North Carolina State Health Plan: “We're facing a $500 million deficit this year and an incremental $800 million deficit the next year. We strongly support the legislature looking out and not adding additional unfunded mandates or obligations to the state health plan.”
Joe Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina: “The legislature being mindful of the cost…to the health care system is an important economic development consideration. As we look to attract employers to the state of North Carolina, we want to make sure that the health plans they want to offer their employees are affordable.”
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