Nearly ten years ago, most small businesses in Florida faced the reality that they could no longer find affordable health care coverage for their employees. The introduction of managed care into the market substantially improved that grim situation. Managed care has brought relief from double-digit increases in health care costs and made insurance coverage more affordable for most small businesses. Managed care seems to have accomplished this difficult task while still providing quality health care. The Florida Chamber advocates affordable, quality health care.
Healthy employees are productive employees.
Nearly 88 percent of Florida Chamber members offer health benefits even though many of our member companies are not required by law as small businesses to do so. As the cost of coverage is driven up, small employers will have no choice beyond cancellation of group health insurance benefits. That is not prudent public policy. Higher costs hurt business and further strain employee-employer relationships. The bill would have meant higher costs and more uninsured Americans.