Retailers Like Bush's Health Plan
The National Retail Federation (Washington) in January welcomed
health care proposals unveiled in President Bush’s State
of the Union address.
Federal action would be more effective than special-interest
legislation in making health care more affordable and available,
the retail trade association said.
”It’s very appropriate that the President is
talking about health care as a national issue,” said
Tracy Mullin, president and chief executive officer of the
NRF. “This is a nationwide problem that needs a nationwide
solution. The proposals being put forth by the President can
make a real difference in the lives of the millions of Americans
who desperately need health care coverage as soon as possible.”
President Bush supports tighter limits on medical malpractice
lawsuits, establishment of Association Health Plans that allow
small businesses to band together for large-group rates on
health insurance, and expansion of health savings accounts.
Bills pending in a number of states are modeled after a law
recently adopted in Maryland that requires companies with
10,000 or more employees to spend at least 8 percent of payroll
on health care benefits, according to the NRF.
Some similar bills pending in 30 other states go beyond the
Maryland legislation, applying to smaller employers and/or
setting higher percentage requirements, the retail trade association
said. [April 2006 PET AGE]
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