Small Businesses Can Join Forces for Health Care in SC

February 20, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford on Tuesday signed into law a bill that gives small businesses an alternative way to offer their employees health insurance.

According to the Associated Press, the bill allows a group of at least 10 small businesses to join together and negotiate cheaper insurance rates than they could on their own.

Previously state law allowed businesses to join together for health insurance but set a minimum of 1,000 total employees, but according to the state Insurance Department, no businesses were taking advantage of that choice, the AP reported. The new law removes the minimum number of employees but adds a minimum number of businesses.

The text of bill 588 can be viewed here .

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