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