Michigan Small Business Reacts to Supreme Court health care ruling
Businesses, citizens alike need affordable options
WARREN, Mich, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), said today that while it may not agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, it accepts the law of the land and is prepared to help members understand its implications.
The business group said much work remains to determine the far-reaching implications of today's ruling, but the decision appears to protect the flexibility for business owners to shop for and offer affordable health coverage options. According to the Association's latest Member Health Care Survey released this month, 89 percent of small business owners in Michigan offer employer-sponsored health insurance to their employees, with 61 percent of members paying all or part of the benefit cost. Of the member businesses surveyed, 33 percent of them have changed their employee health care plans within the last year, with increased costs as the major reason.
"Since it appears that the individual coverage mandate has been upheld, there will now be a big rush for many states, including Michigan, to seek funding and implement state health insurance exchanges," said MBPA President and CEO Jennifer Kluge.
"The overriding concern of small business owners is trying to keep health care premiums down as they emerge from the lingering effects of the recession," said Kluge. "It's our hope that the Affordable Care Act, as defined by the court today, will take us in a cost-saving direction."
She added, "The bigger challenge going forward will be to find innovative and effective ways to drive down the overall cost of health care for both businesses and individuals, while keeping patient care standards at a high level, and focusing on preventive care."
Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 160,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retail, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive group insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA).
CONTACTS: Jennifer Kluge
586-393-8800 Office
586-202-1441 Cell
Sue Voyles
734-667-2005 Office
734-635-3831 Cell
[email protected]
SOURCE Michigan Business and Professional Association
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