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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
01/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/08/2024 02:29
Gaydos, Policy Committee Host Hearing on Association Health Plans
Aug. 01, 2024
MOON TOWNSHIP - Today, Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), convened a hearing to examine affordable health care, one of the most pressing issues for small businesses, and discuss how association health plans (AHPs) work, their benefits and the regulatory framework needed to implement them effectively in Pennsylvania. AHPs allow small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance as a collective group, potentially achieving lower premiums and better coverage options typically only available to larger organizations.
The hearing, titled "Health Care Options for Small Businesses," took place at the Moon Township Municipal Building. Testifiers included Emily Greene, state director, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania; Kurt Imhof, senior vice president of policy and public affairs, Life Sciences PA; Noah Karn, vice president, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania; Robert McCafferty, operator, North Country Brewing; Howison Schroeder, chief executive officer and co-founder, Neuro-Innovators; and Eddie DeCaria, co-owner and pharmacist, Porter's Prescription Pharmacy.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Commonwealth's economy, and with limited staff and resources, administrative responsibilities, like identifying health insurance plans and managing the paperwork, are often too burdensome. AHPs have been found to increase administrative efficiency as the association manages the plan and its related paperwork.
"Too many small businesses are struggling with unsustainable health insurance prices. Association health plans increase access to health insurance and present opportunity for cost savings, both of which are critical for small businesses," said Gaydos. "They lift the barrier to entry and allow for negotiating power, which is exactly what our hard-working businesses deserve."
"We want more family-sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania, and so we need to find innovative policy solutions for small business to access quality health plans," said Kail. "If small businesses cannot meet the basic needs of their employees and their employee's families, we cannot expect them to want to settle here in Pennsylvania."
To watch the complete hearing, visit pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717-260-6437
[email protected]
repgaydos.com
The hearing, titled "Health Care Options for Small Businesses," took place at the Moon Township Municipal Building. Testifiers included Emily Greene, state director, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania; Kurt Imhof, senior vice president of policy and public affairs, Life Sciences PA; Noah Karn, vice president, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania; Robert McCafferty, operator, North Country Brewing; Howison Schroeder, chief executive officer and co-founder, Neuro-Innovators; and Eddie DeCaria, co-owner and pharmacist, Porter's Prescription Pharmacy.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Commonwealth's economy, and with limited staff and resources, administrative responsibilities, like identifying health insurance plans and managing the paperwork, are often too burdensome. AHPs have been found to increase administrative efficiency as the association manages the plan and its related paperwork.
"Too many small businesses are struggling with unsustainable health insurance prices. Association health plans increase access to health insurance and present opportunity for cost savings, both of which are critical for small businesses," said Gaydos. "They lift the barrier to entry and allow for negotiating power, which is exactly what our hard-working businesses deserve."
"We want more family-sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania, and so we need to find innovative policy solutions for small business to access quality health plans," said Kail. "If small businesses cannot meet the basic needs of their employees and their employee's families, we cannot expect them to want to settle here in Pennsylvania."
To watch the complete hearing, visit pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717-260-6437
[email protected]
repgaydos.com
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