Coleman talks health care with local business owners

McLeod County Chronicle

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., visited Hutchinson on Friday to discuss the issue of small business health care.

Coleman met with local entrepreneurs, small-business employees and community officials to hear firsthand about the challenges and actions being taken by these businesses to manage skyrocketing health care costs.

He also discussed 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 relief through targeted tax credits, expanded risk pools and lower and more predictable premiums for their employees.

"Access to affordable health care has been a major concern of Minnesota's small businesses for some time now, and with the current economic downturn it is more important than ever," Coleman said.