Bill to let small businesses negotiate jointly for health insurance clears House
08 05 08 - 20:19
The state's National Federation of Independent Business is behind small-business insurance legislation that cleared the House unanimously this week.
Jim Brown, Tennessee state director of the NFIB, says in a release the measure will make it easier for small business owners to find and keep affordable health insurance.
The bill would let business owners join together to negotiate health insurance rates, the NFIB release says, adding it gives small business owners an important option to look for better rate predictability and stability.
House Bill 4066 passed with a 97-0 vote. It was approved unanimously by the Senate earlier this session.
The bill was sponsored by state Reps. Charles Curtiss and Charles Sargent, of Sparta and Franklin respectively.
A study by the NFIB found 47 percent of the nation's small businesses offer health benefits. Between 1 and 2 percent of small businesses drop health benefits each year, the study found, and many new businesses can't afford to offer it.