Advocacy Alert

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Two key Maryland General Assembly Committees are considering legislation that would create a universal health care system in Maryland, funded primarily by an annual $2.5 billion employer payroll tax (SB 813/HB 951). Members of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce need to let our Delegation members know that the issue of health care benefits is a major concern to our community, but that this legislation is not the answer.

SB 813 and HB 951 would significantly restructure the health insurance market in Maryland by:

• Combining the individual and small group health insurance markets;
• Subsidizing the cost of insurance for low income individuals;
• Expanding Medicaid eligibility;
• Imposing an individual mandate for persons to purchase health insurance;
• Creating a reinsurance pool for high risk individuals; and
• Imposing an annual $2.5 billion 2 percent assessment on the FICA wage base of all employers to pay for 85 percent of the expanded health care benefits.

There are bills in Annapolis considering health care reform for small businesses— SB 637 and HB 674. These bills would revitalize the small group health plan to make it more affordable for small employers. These bills target the hardest to insure group, small employers, while not relying on increased state expenditures or “play or pay” provisions. The Chamber urges small group health insurance reform. The Maryland Chamber asserts that: by reforming small group and making it more attractive to employers and healthy insurance risks, we can help to contain health insurance costs for small employers.

What You Can Do: Contact you representation in Annapolis (see below) and oppose the Health Care Affordability Act of 2009 and urge for reform of health care benefits for small business.

Suggested E-Mail Subject Line:

• SB 813/HB 951 – Oppose
• Health Care Affordability Act –Oppose
• Support Small Group Market Regulation

What to Say/Sample Language:

I write in opposition to the Health Care Affordability Act of 2009. The issue of health care benefits is a major concern to the business community here in Howard County, but this legislation is not our answer.

First and Foremost, I am opposed to imposing a payroll tax on employers to fund a universal heath care program. I support market-based reforms to make health insurance more affordable. SB 813 and HB 951 create a $15 billion health care program that I believe neither the State of Maryland nor Maryland’s businesses can afford.

Meanwhile, there are bills in Annapolis on the issue of health care reform that I do support. SB 637 and HB 674 focus the help where there is significant need–revitalizing the small group health plan to make it more affordable for small employers. I believe that market-based reforms are necessary to attract additional participants to the small group health insurance plan.

**If you can, add something personal about your company and health benefits to the letter.

Again, I urge you to oppose the Health Care Affordability Act of 2009 and I support Small Group Market reform.

Who to Contact:

Howard County Senators

Senator Allan H. Kittleman
410-841-3671
allan.kittleman@senate.state.md.us

Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer
410-841-3653
edward.kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us

Senator James Robey
410-841-3572
james.robey@senate.state.md.us

Howard County Delegates

Delegate Gail Bates
410-841-3556
gail.bates@house.state.md.us

Delegate Warren Miller
410-841-3582
warren.miller@house.state.md.us

Delegate Steven DeBoy, Sr.
410-841-3328
steven.deboy@house.state.md.us

Delegate James Malone, Jr.
410-841-3378
james.malone@house.state.md.us

Delegate Elizabeth Bobo
410-841-3205
elizabeth.bobo@house.state.md.us

Delegate Shane Pendergrass
410-841-3139
shane.pendergrass@house.state.md.us

Delegate Guy Guzzone
410-841-3471
guy.guzzone@house.state.md.us

Delegate Frank Turner
410-841-3246
frank.turner@house.state.md.us