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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |
State Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
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DePasquale introduces legislation to help
small businesses afford health insurance
HARRISBURG, June 4 – State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, has introduced legislation that would permit small businesses to pool together to purchase group health insurance at reduced rates. DePasquale said the measure could provide thousands of workers in Pennsylvania with access to affordable health-care coverage.
“Small businesses lack the purchasing power that larger employers have when it comes to negotiating health insurance plans for their employees,” DePasquale said. “As a result, they often are given little choice in plan coverage and are forced to accept steep insurance rates which they and their employees simply cannot afford.”
DePasquale said the only current alternative for small businesses is to join a business association or similar group and pay dues and fees for services they do not necessarily need or want, solely to receive group insurance rates.
The bill introduced by DePasquale would alleviate this problem and provide small businesses with a cost-effective way to obtain lower-cost insurance plans for their employees.
“This legislation would allow small businesses to form groups of their own with the sole purpose of negotiating health insurance plans,” he added. “It is a sensible and common-sense way to provide cost-effective insurance plans for our state’s small businesses and affordable coverage for their employees.”
DePasquale said based on comments and positive feedback he received from a health-care survey he distributed throughout his legislative district, his constituents support this legislation.
“This bill will help increase access, bring down costs and assist the largest growing employment sector in Pennsylvania -- small businesses,” he said.
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