Small-business owners divided on mandatory insurance proposal
01 02 08 - 11:38
By Paul Beebe
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 01/31/2008 11:44:54 PM MST
Small-business owners in Utah strongly oppose establishing a state-run health care exchange that would require all small businesses and individuals to buy medical insurance from it, according to a poll released Thursday by the National Federation of Independent Business.
The poll found 78 percent of respondents opposed the formation of a not-for-profit Utah Health Insurance Exchange, while 10 percent favored the idea and 12 percent were undecided.
In a related finding, 54 percent of NFIB members who took part in the poll favored legislation allowing health insurers to offer plans stripped of many mandated medical procedures. Another 27 percent were opposed and 19 percent were undecided.
The results weren't surprising, said Candace Daley, Utah's state director of the NFIB.
"Health care has been small business's No. 1 issue for the past two decades, and we know real reform will have to come from the state level and not Washington, D.C., so I think small-business owners are excited about the state getting more involved and working toward a solution," Daley said.
A bill working its way through the Utah House of Representatives would develop a reform blueprint for affordable insurance plans that encourage healthy behavior. HB133 may include coverage mandates and new taxes to pay for the reforms.
The poll also found NFIB members are divided over whether state or local governments should have the power to revoke the business license of an employer who is found to have been hiring illegal immigrants.
A plurality, 47 percent, favored granting local governments the power. Another 44 percent opposed the idea and 9 percent were undecided.
Daley said previous NFIB polling has shown small-business owners are concerned about illegal immigration but do not want to be in a position of enforcing immigration laws.
"So they generally shy away from wanting even the remotest involvement in it. While there is no conclusiveness to the response, it does show an increasing worry over the situation," Daley said.
By a 2-to-1 majority, NFIB opposed establishing toll roads or lanes to help finance transportation projects. Another 23 percent approved of toll projects and 10 percent were unsure.