Health Care Reform
For more than 35 years, the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) has been a resource for small businesses and a nationally recognized advocate and innovator for providing access to quality, affordable health insurance for Northeast Ohio's small business community. COSE insures more than 13,000 small businesses with more than 71,000 employees accessing coverage for over 175,000 lives. Because of the importance of access to health care for small business as a pillar of enabling entrepreneurship and an enabler for the ongoing growth and success of independent small businesses in our community, the needs of small businesses must be recognized in discussions about health care reform.
The rising cost of health care is placing many small businesses in a position where they are no longer able to offer insurance programs. As a result, the number of small businesses with less than 10 employees offering health insurance benefits to their workers has dropped to 48% down from 60% just ten years ago. Health care reform must start with a focus on affordability. From there, finding a balance between access, quality and cost-effectiveness should be the goals of any health care reform. COSE believes that this balance can be achieved a number of ways.
First, small businesses and individuals must have basic plans available at affordable prices. Rising costs continue to shut-out individuals and businesses from being able to afford coverage. Health care will become more accessible if we allow for the creation of basic plans and to halt of the ongoing addition of new health insurance mandates for illnesses and conditions until a more fair cost distribution model is created.
Next, COSE believes that we need to expand coverage to everyone. By mandating that individuals obtain health insurance, the risk is spread over a larger pool, making coverage more affordable to everyone. When more individuals have coverage, this will also reduce the tens of billions of dollars in cost shifting that happens today.
Furthermore, COSE cautions against the creation of a "public plan" government run insurance program. Studies have shown that given unequal requirements and regulations the establishment of a government run health insurance plan will drain as much as 70% of the private plan participants.
Finally, COSE also advocates for an increase in accountability and education in the role of the consumer. We must take charge of our own health, starting with avoiding to the extent possible the three biggest cost drivers - obesity, smoking and depression. We must also take an active role in making the system work through responsible use of health care. By making better decisions, such as not using emergency rooms for primary care and avoiding lifestyle prescription drugs, we as consumers can make a significant impact.