|
|
|
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce issued a press release late last week reporting the results of a membership survey showing business owners statewide "overwhelmingly expect to be negatively impacted by the federal health care mandate currently in discussion in Washington, D.C."
At the local level, Luke Reven, executive director of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday he couldn't speak for his membership, but added that "in general the Chamber of Commerce stands for free market solutions."
He added that the Maryville Chamber lacks a formal mechanism for determining official positions on statewide and national questions but may work toward developing one during 2010."
"Our official position is that we don't have a position," he said. "We'd like the local chamber to be more involved in these kinds of legislative issues, but right now a formalized system doesn't exist."
Nevertheless, in line with the Missouri survey, which queried nearly 7,000 businesses statewide, Reven said his "gut feeling" is that the local business community stands opposed to a public option, the term used for a federally administered insurance program.
"Getting affordable care would be a boon for businesses. That said, there are principles that guide businesses everywhere, and we believe that free market solutions are usually the best solutions." Reven said.
According to the Missouri Chamber survey, 67 percent of the responding businesses expect to be negatively impacted by federal health care reform. The poll also showed that 47 percent of businesses want government to have a limited health-care role, while 37 percent believe the government should stay out of health-care regulation completely.
But though the survey indicates business owners lack enthusiasm for current reform efforts, it echoes Reven's belief that affordable health care is needed. Thirty-one percent of the respondents said they supported tort reform aimed at reducing the number of lawsuits brought against doctors and hospitals, while 28 percent favored tax credits designed to make employer-provided insurance programs affordable.
Only 15 percent of the businesses responding to the survey said they don't offer health benefits to their employees. Of the 85 percent who do offer insurance, 76 percent provide it to all employees, 6 percent offer it only to managers, and 3 percent are self-insured.
State COC President Daniel P. Mehan said he hoped the survey would send a message to Jefferson City lawmakers, since passage of a federal health care bill is "moving closer to congressional passage."
"Missouri business leaders are greatly concerned that this legislation could harm their companies and perhaps nullify hopes of an economic rebound," Mehan said in a prepared statement.
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce issued a press release late last week reporting the results of a membership survey showing business owners statewide "overwhelmingly expect to be negatively impacted by the federal health care mandate currently in discussion in Washington, D.C."
At the local level, Luke Reven, executive director of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday he couldn't speak for his membership, but added that "in general the Chamber of Commerce stands for free market solutions."
He added that the Maryville Chamber lacks a formal mechanism for determining official positions on statewide and national questions but may work toward developing one during 2010."
"Our official position is that we don't have a position," he said. "We'd like the local chamber to be more involved in these kinds of legislative issues, but right now a formalized system doesn't exist."
Nevertheless, in line with the Missouri survey, which queried nearly 7,000 businesses statewide, Reven said his "gut feeling" is that the local business community stands opposed to a public option, the term used for a federally administered insurance program.
"Getting affordable care would be a boon for businesses. That said, there are principles that guide businesses everywhere, and we believe that free market solutions are usually the best solutions." Reven said.
According to the Missouri Chamber survey, 67 percent of the responding businesses expect to be negatively impacted by federal health care reform. The poll also showed that 47 percent of businesses want government to have a limited health-care role, while 37 percent believe the government should stay out of health-care regulation completely.
But though the survey indicates business owners lack enthusiasm for current reform efforts, it echoes Reven's belief that affordable health care is needed. Thirty-one percent of the respondents said they supported tort reform aimed at reducing the number of lawsuits brought against doctors and hospitals, while 28 percent favored tax credits designed to make employer-provided insurance programs affordable.
Only 15 percent of the businesses responding to the survey said they don't offer health benefits to their employees. Of the 85 percent who do offer insurance, 76 percent provide it to all employees, 6 percent offer it only to managers, and 3 percent are self-insured.
State COC President Daniel P. Mehan said he hoped the survey would send a message to Jefferson City lawmakers, since passage of a federal health care bill is "moving closer to congressional passage."
"Missouri business leaders are greatly concerned that this legislation could harm their companies and perhaps nullify hopes of an economic rebound," Mehan said in a prepared statement.
