January 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ronald W. Wineholt, Vice President – Government Affairs
(410) 269-0642 or (301) 261-2858
William Burns, Director of Communications
(410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 | Cell: (410) 733-9945
Chamber Blasts “Fair Share” Veto Override
Annapolis, MD (January 12, 2006) - The Maryland Chamber of Commerce today criticized the Maryland General Assembly’s vote to override Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.’s veto of the SB 790/HB 1284, the Fair Share Health Care Fund Act.
“Enactment of this legislation is poor public policy and it damages Maryland’s business image,” said Ronald W. Wineholt, the Maryland Chamber’s Vice President for Government Affairs. “Rather than helping the uninsured, the Maryland General Assembly has attacked one company. This type of anti-business legislation will harm the state’s prospects for business and job growth.”
Since its introduction, the Maryland Chamber has opposed the Fair Share Health Care Fund Act for numerous reasons. SB 790/HB 1284:
- Does nothing to address the problem of 740,000 Marylanders with no health insurance.
- Violates the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), according to Henry A. Smith, III, a partner with Smith & Downey and highly regarded expert in employment and labor law. The Supreme Court has struck down similar laws.
- Presents a significant threat to all Maryland businesses. Proponents will seek to expand the payroll tax to more businesses in future years. Their stated goal is the creation of a state-mandated universal health care system funded by business taxes.
- Ignores the underlying problem that Maryland employers and employees are unable to afford health insurance due to the rapidly rising health care costs. Legislative efforts should focus on reforms that make health care insurance more affordable for small businesses, including actions to increase competition and flexibility in the small group market, enactment of long-term medical liability reform, and reviewing the government mandates and other factors that contribute to health care costs.
- Imposes a health care mandate on Maryland employers that no other state has enacted. This sends an anti-business message across the country, and places Maryland businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
About the Maryland Chamber of Commerce
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit coalition of more than 800 businesses who employ more than 340,000 people in the state. Its mission is to maximize opportunities for its members and their employees to grow and prosper. For more information about the Chamber, visit its website, www.mdchamber.org or call (410) 269-0642 or (301) 261-2858.
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