Senate committee passes bill to increase small business access to health insurance

Bill increasing small business owners’ access to health insurance sails out of Senate committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee unanimously approved a bill by President Pro Tempore Greg Treat that would help more small business owners gain access to quality, affordable health plans.

Senate Bill 943 increases access to association health plans (AHP) by making state law more closely reflect federal rule changes that allow more employer groups and associations to form AHPs based on common geography or industry. An AHP allows small business owners to group together as if a much larger, single employer to obtain health insurance oftentimes at lower rates.

“Association health plans could have a huge impact for small business owners and sole proprietors across Oklahoma – who drive much of the job creation that keeps our economy growing,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “Senate Bill 943 lets small employers and sole proprietors in Oklahoma take advantage of AHPs to gain access to quality, affordable health care plans. This could save small businesses hundreds, if not thousands of dollars each year, resources that can be reinvested back into their companies and employees.”

Senate Bill 943 now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.