Message to State: Healthcare = Job Growth
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For Immediate Release
October 26, 2011
Contact: Janet Davenport 860-989-4220 (cell)
PRESS RELEASE
Message to State: Healthcare = Job Growth
HARTFORD – Members of healthcare4every1 are scheduled to gather at the Capitol from 5 to 7 p.m. to send the message to Gov. Malloy and the legislature that any job or economic recovery plan is incomplete if it fails to address healthcare costs and provide small businesses with affordable and dependable health insurance options.
“The proposed legislation for the special session includes money and initiatives to encourage entrepreneurial spirit,” said Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut President Juan A. Figueroa. “But a large barrier people cite to striking out on their own is access to and the affordability of healthcare. We think it is a missed opportunity that health care coverage and jobs are not mentioned in the plan.”
Studies show that small businesses pay, on average, 18 percent more for the same plan as larger businesses for family coverage for employees. That translates spending approximately $2,500 more per employee.
“Talking about ways to help grow jobs and push the economy toward recovery is great, but failing to address one of the biggest reasons small businesses say they can’t retain or add workers means the state is overlooking a critical factor,” said Figueroa. “Providing relief to small businesses and individuals who can't afford health insurance should not only be a top priority, but also is an essential component of any job creation plan.”
Advocates urge the governor and legislators to make a real effort at job creation and economic recovery by leveraging the work of three entities:
- The SustiNet Health Care Cabinet should be a key focal point for the administration. The cabinet is responsible for finding alternatives to private insurance for residents and small businesses such as a public insurance option, and it is charged with doing so in the next 12 months. It is also charged with integrating key aspects of federal and state health reform, including health delivery system reform.
- The Working Group on Small Business Health Care organized by Speaker of the House, Christopher Donovan is scheduled to make specific recommendations in early 2012 on ways to tie affordable health insurance options to economic recovery and growth.
- Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange is the marketplace for the sale of health insurance plans enabled and funded by 2010’s federal health care reform law and expected to become operational in 2014. The intent behind the Exchange legislation is to have a consumer-friendly and consumer-oriented market of health insurance plans that the average person and small business can rely on without the fear of fine print or going bankrupt.
For more facts on Job, Healthcare and reform click here.
