Healthcare

On Feburary 22, Small Business Majority's Colorado Director Lindsey Virgoda testfied before the Colorado Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of SB 24-080, legislation that will require health insurance carriers to comply with federal price transparency laws and pharmacy and drug cost reporting laws. If passed, this legislation will ensure insurance carriers adhere to federal regulations, increase healthcare price transparency and help small business owners and Coloradans make more informed decisions.

On February 21, Small Business Majority's Colorado Director Lindsey Vigoda provided comments before the Colorado Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Senate Bill 24-073. This legislation would redefine sizing standards for the small group healthcare plans, limiting the market to businesses with 1-50 employees and pushing out businesses with 51-100 employees. 

On February 16, Small Business Majority Founder and CEO John Arensmeyer provided feedback on the proposed rule to rescind the Department of Labor's (DOL's) 2018 Association Health Plan Rule. We applaud DOL for its proposal, in collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration, to rescind the previous Administration’s ‘Association Health Plan’ Rule, in order to address rising healthcare costs for America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Today, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Lindsey Vigoda testified before the Colorado Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of Senate Bill 24-093, legislation concerning the continuity of healthcare benefits during the transition to a new health benefit plan. The bill would provide reasonable and necessary leeway so Colorado’s small businesses and employees can find a new provider.

On February 1, Small Business Majority's Virginia Council member Shirley Modlin, owner of 3D Design and Manufacturing LLC, testified before the Virginia House Labor and Commerce Committee in support of HB 570, legislation which would establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia. Passing this legislation would help address the high cost of prescription drugs, which places a burden on small businesses and their employees.

On January 29, Small Business Majority's Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash submitted a letter of support for HB 7, the Health Care Affordability Fund, to the New Mexico House Committee on Appropriations.  This legislation would keep funding levels constant for the Healthcare Affordability Fund, which would ensure the Fund could continue providing affordable coverage to our communities, particularly our small employers. 

On January 29, Small Business Majority's Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash submitted testimony before the Virginia Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The bill would protect small employers, employees and other stakeholders within the healthcare system, particularly as small businesses are struggling with thin margins and high healthcare costs.

On January 24, Small Business Majority's Georgia Director and National Women's Entrepreneurship Director, Rachel Shanklin, testified before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of the Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Patients Act. 

On January 10, Small Business Majority's Georgia Director and National Women's Entrepreneurship Director, Rachel Shanklin, testified before the Georgia General Assembly at a hearing on Medicaid Expansion. She shared comments on the benefits of expanding healthcare coverage and its impacts to the small business ecosystem.