By Mike Shields
KHI News Service
TOPEKA, Jan. 16
House Democrats want to revive a plan from last year that they say would help make group health insurance more affordable for small business owners but cost the state treasury nothing.
The House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday announced their agenda for the 2007 session. On the health-care front it included a proposed small business pilot program, first introduced last year by Rep. Doug Gatewood, D-Columbus, as
House Bill 2675
. The measure failed to advance last session.
“Smaller employers are less likely to offer health insurance to their employees because premiums are prohibitively expensive,” the caucus said in a prepared statement.
Democrats said the plan would give small businesses access to the state”s purchasing power and the lower costs of a large group purchasing pool and coverage of preexisting medical conditions.
The pilot would allow coverage for a total of 1,000 employees at businesses with 30 workers or fewer. The employers and workers would pay their respective portions of the premiums, but those participating would be allowed into the state health care benefits program.
The caucus also pledged to push for a no-interest loan program through the Department of Commerce that would help small businesses pay the start-up costs of a group coverage plan.
Senate Democrats are expected to announce their session priorities Wednesday.
The Republican caucuses in the House and Senate
previously announced their priorities
.
Other priorities for House Democrats:
* Property tax relief for seniors;
* Increasing the state minimum wage;
* Energy conservation incentives;
* Campaign finance reform;
* Limiting access to violent video games; and
* Creating a registry in the Attorney General”s Office for victims of identity theft.
Mike Shields is a staff writer for KHI News Service, which specializes in coverage of health issues facing Kansans. He can be reached at
mshields@khi.org
or at 785-233-5443, ext. 123.