Coleman to visit Marshall on Friday to discuss small business health care

Marshall Independent

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman will visit Marshall on Friday to discuss the issue of small business health care. Coleman will meet with local entrepreneurs, small-business employees and community officials from 10-11:30 a.m. Friday at the Marshall YMCA, 200 S. A. St., where he will hear firsthand about the challenges and actions being taken by these businesses to manage health care costs, while also discussing his latest efforts in Congress to address the issue. Coleman recently introduced the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act, which would provide small businesses with much-needed relief through targeted tax credits, expanded risk pools, and lower and more predictable premiums for their employees.

Specifically, the SHOP Act sets up a five-year process that ultimately allows small businesses to choose between two insurance markets.

States will establish statewide purchasing pools for small businesses to purchase private health insurance. In addition, small businesses will have the option of purchasing health insurance in a national private health insurance pool.