National Federation of Independent Business Recommends 10 Principles To Reform Health Care System
The National Federation of Independent Business on Wednesday unveiled 10 principles to overhaul the health care system, CQ HealthBeat reports. The principles -- which were developed after consultation with health experts from across the political spectrum -- include universal and affordable health care, NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer said (Straus, CQ HealthBeat, 12/12). However, the group said it opposes the creation of a single-payer system, instead favoring private insurance with a government safety net to help the neediest U.S. residents obtain coverage.
The group also expressed its opposition to proposals that require businesses to provide insurance for employees or pay into a fund for the uninsured. NFIB in a statement said that a "health care system built on employer mandates or on pay-or-play taxes is unacceptable." Susan Eckerly, a vice president for NFIB, said that business mandates "are the No. 1 job killer for the small-business owner" (Freudenheim, New York Times, 12/13).
The group believes that portability in health insurance is an important reform to health care. Potential entrepreneurs might not be able to launch a business if they feel tied to a job because of the health insurance, NFIB spokesperson Stephanie Cathcart said. In addition, the group said that the U.S. health care system should be competitive, transparent, efficient, unbiased and evidence-based. NFIB added that any reform to the current system should be implemented at a pace that gives small businesses adequate time to adjust. Cathcart said, "We're asking (presidential) candidates and members of Congress to use these principles as a starting point."
In related news, NFIB announced that it has joined with the Lewin Group to conduct a research initiative on policy options and preferences of small businesses about health care, Cathcart said (CQ HealthBeat, 12/12). Also on Wednesday, Mercer released a survey showing that 23% of small employers and 25% of large employers with 500 or more workers support pay-or-play proposals (New York Times, 12/13).
