Here Come More Health Mandates, Higher Costs

The legislature’s Insurance Committee held its first meeting of the 2016 session, and on its agenda–once again–were a slew of proposals that will increase healthcare costs, by adding new health benefit mandates.
Health benefit mandates are procedures and services the state requires health plans to include.
The more procedures and services the state requires, the higher your premiums.
And for those who receive a subsidy from the state’s healthcare exchange, the state must pick up the costs of new health benefit mandates.
Therefore, more mandates equals more state spending to cover them.
Small businesses are also affected.

Smaller employers help pay for their employees’ health benefits, which are very expensive.
With even more mandates  … you get the picture: Everyone involved will feel the pinch, including small employers, their employees, and their families.
Smaller employers can’t afford even more mandates, and neither can the state.
Lawmakers should instead focus on avenues that will lead to healthcare cost savings. Rejecting any new mandates would be a good first step.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Jennifer Herz (860.970.4404) | @CBIAjherz