Legislative Report -- January 24, 2007

Health care affordability is the Chamber’s top priority for the 2007 session. “Health care costs are a serious problem for employers and employees. Now that the Wal-Mart case has been finally resolved by the 4th Circuit decision yesterday, we look forward to working with the O’Malley Administration and the Maryland General Assembly to produce meaningful solutions to Maryland’s health care problems,” said Maryland Chamber Chairman Terry Neimeyer, Chairman and CEO of KCI Technologies, Inc. “These solutions hopefully will include individuals, business and state government all playing their part in providing a competitive, efficient health insurance system.”

Additional priority issues for the 2007 General Assembly session include:

Focusing on Fiscal Responsibility: The Chamber urges fiscal responsibility and spending restraint as the State deals with its long-term structural budget deficit.

Keeping Maryland’s Regulatory and Tax Structure Competitive: A competitive tax and regulatory climate will ensure economic expansion and job growth.

Increasing Transportation Funding: Long-term funding solutions are needed to deal with Maryland’s unfunded transportation and transit initiatives.

Reforming the State’s Civil Liability Laws: Maryland has lagged behind other states in enacting meaningful civil justice reforms including medical liability reform, reasonable limits for appeal bonds, jury service reforms, and more.

Balancing Environmental Policy: The Chamber urges a balanced approach when considering legislative and regulatory systems to protect the environment. The State must ensure that Maryland businesses are not disadvantaged in relation to competitors in other states.

Supporting Predictable and Sustainable Education Funding: A well educated workforce is an essential component to Maryland’s economy.

View the complete Business Agenda online here.

Transportation Meeting Brings
the Business Community Together
The Maryland Chamber last week convened a meeting with many of the top business associations in the state to discuss Maryland’s transportation needs. Participating organizations included the Greater Baltimore Committee, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Maryland Motor Truck Association, Private Sector Port Coalition, and more.

Attendees heard from business leaders, including Don Fry of the Greater Baltimore Committee, as well as acting Transportation Secretary John Pocari and former Secretaries William Hellmann, David Winstead, and James Lighthizer.

Speakers discussed the tremendous transportation needs in Maryland, and how the needs outweigh incoming revenue in the State’s Transportation Trust Fund. The political and legislative processes tend to respond to a crisis. In order to be effective in seeking the necessary funding, the business community must speak with one voice, the presenters said.

To that end, the Maryland Chamber plans to work with the Greater Baltimore Committee, Greater Washington Board of Trade, and other key stakeholders, to develop a long-term transportation funding plan. While there may be competing priorities, the business community is committed to working to build the right funding structure for the sake of personal and business economics, quality of life, the environment, and regional competitiveness.

For more information, contact Heather Hamilton at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858, or hhamilton@mdchamber.org.

Free Webconference: Learn More About Health Care Priorities
Governor Martin O’Malley and legislative leaders agree that health care is a top priority this session. Two key committees, Senate Finance and House Health and Government Operations, are working on legislation to expand health care access.

The Maryland Chamber is working closely with key legislators and other business groups to ensure a balanced approach to addressing the problems of health care affordability and accessibility.

Learn more about the Chamber’s priorities and the proposals under consideration by participating in a Chamber Webconference on February 8 at 10 a.m. During this interactive, online presentation, Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Ron Wineholt will walk participants through a number of health care proposals and discuss the Chamber’s advocacy efforts on behalf of its members.

There is no charge to participate in this Webconference. You can participate online or by calling in. There are ways for you to ask questions regardless of how you participate. If you are interested in taking part in this Chamber Webconference, email Will Burns at wburns@mdchamber.org.

Reports Cite Poor Health Insurance Market
Maryland scored poorly in two recent 50-state comparisons of the nation’s health insurance market. A survey by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance found that state governments have broad discretion to improve or damage health insurance markets through the laws and regulations they adopt. Maryland‘s small group market is burdened by community rating, excessive mandates and above average prices. Another national comparison of small group plans by America’s Health Insurance Plans reinforced that conclusion, noting Maryland with the 18th highest cost of small group policies. See the studies at:

http://www.cahi.org/cahi_contents/resources/pdf/StateIndex.pdf
http://www.ahipresearch.org/pdfs/FINALSmallGroupPaper.pdf

Contact Ron Wineholt for further information at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858, or rwineholt@mdchamber.org .

We Want to Hear From You
What is the most important legislative issue facing your business?

Click here to respond to our weekly survey question. We'll publish the results in next week's Legislative Report.

Ruling on Wal Mart Bill Affirmed
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed District Court Judge Frederick Motz’s decision in the Wal-Mart Bill case. In July, Motz ruled that Maryland’s Fair Share Health Care Act, also known as the Wal-Mart bill, violates the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce was an early and steadfast opponent of the bill and the first group to publicly identify the flaw that proved to be its downfall: its violation of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

February 5: Maryland Congressional Delegation Dinner
Attend the Maryland Chamber’s Maryland Congressional Delegation Dinner to congratulate Senator Ben Cardin and welcome Congressman John Sarbanes. The 2007 Congressional Delegation Dinner will be held on Monday, February 5, at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, beginning at 5:30 p.m. (note the new start time).

This town hall meeting style event is a great opportunity to meet with Maryland’s congressional delegation to discuss important federal business issues like transportation funding, health care affordability, immigration reform, energy policy, and more.

Registration is $80 for Maryland Chamber members, $140 for nonmembers. To register, click here or contact Kristen Solis at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or ksolis@mdchamber.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Jan Krueger at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or jkrueger@mdchamber.org.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

January 25, 2007
Environment Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
8:45 a.m.

January 29, 2007
Legislative Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
3 p.m.

January 30, 2007
Health Care Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
9: 30 a.m.

January 31, 2007
Controlling Interests Workgroup
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
10:15 a.m.

February 1, 2007
Environment Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
8:45 a.m.

Upcoming Chamber Events

May 10, 2007
Annual Membership Meeting and
Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
The event is the Chamber's premier networking event of the year, attracting hundreds of the region's most influential decision makers. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Jan Krueger for details at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or
jkrueger@mdchamber.org.