OK Health Care Measure Would Provide Incentives to
Businesses
March 4, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Oklahoma House
members voted unanimously to approve a measure that would
expand the state's Insure Oklahoma program.
According to the Associated Press, the program,
funded by tobacco tax revenue, provides premium
assistance to small business workers and employers. The
new law would provide incentives to businesses that offer
Section 125 plans so employees can use pretax dollars to
purchase health care coverage.
The legislation also includes a core benefits
package to encourage young, healthy state citizens to
purchase inexpensive health insurance policies, the AP
said.
In addition, the mandate would establish the
Oklahoma Exchange, a program to proactively connect
individuals without health insurance to coverage options.
Under the Exchange, uninsured individuals would be
provided enrollment options at the point of access to
health care, such as hospitals.
The legislation now goes to the state Senate for a
vote.
Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com