Health Mandates Heap High Costs on Employers
With North Carolina companies buried under 55 health care mandates, we currently have the 14th most mandated insurance climate in the nation. Did you know that’s almost as many mandates as California? Economic experts agree that insurance mandates are one of the biggest drivers of health care costs, but legislators in the General Assembly continue to propose bills that would increase the financial load mandates place on employers.
A number of insurance mandate bills have been introduced in the 2015 Legislative Session and each of these bills would carry a significant price tag for employers of all sizes by selectively adding costs to various parts of the economy. State mandates also reduce access to health care by removing the choice from individuals and small businesses about the kind of insurance they want to buy – or can afford. In short, more health care mandates mean employers spend more to provide workers with poorer coverage.
We have heard your concerns about the burdens created by health care costs and coverage mandates and have included this issue as a priority in the 2015 JOBS Agenda. The North Carolina Chamber continues to urge state legislators to stand against mandates that restrict our ability to grow and attract jobs, and we will keep you updated on the status of this issue throughout the legislative session. Please contact me if you have any specific questions or feedback on this issue.
Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber