LANSING – Nearly a third of small businesses have considered dropping their employee health plans in the past year and 6 percent have, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Michigan Business and Professional Association.
The survey of MBPA members said 28 percent had considered dropping coverage and 38.9 percent had changed coverage to reduce costs, the group said.
Of those considering dropping coverage, 58 percent said their businesses were struggling. Of the 6 percent that did drop coverage, none provided wage increases to offset the benefit cut.
“Times are changing in Michigan, and we must do what we can to help our business community and its citizens who deserve affordable health care,” said MBPA President Ed Deeb.
Deeb said the statistics also argue for the revisions to the individual health care markets that are currently under consideration in the Senate Health Policy Committee.
“Michigan needs to reform its individual health insurance market so that people in these situations can find affordable coverage and keep it long-term, rather than joining the ranks of the uninsured,” Deeb said. “The best reforms have already been implemented in other states. These include a high-risk pool to stabilize the market financially and cover people with severe conditions, and rate bands to provide for price stability.”
Opponents have argued the bills (HB 5282 , HB 5283 , HB 5284 , HB 5285 ) would give Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan control over the individual health care market.
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