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January 15,
2010
Chamber Continues Efforts
on Federal Healthcare Proposal
In a letter to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer
the Redondo Beach Chamber urged them to jettison the
healthcare bill.
“The Redondo Beach Chamber is deeply troubled that the
Senate version of the bill that worsens what was already an
inequitable situation for California and we will continue to
be an advocate on behalf of Californians to ensure we are
treated fairly by this critical piece of legislation,”
stated Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “Under nearly
every scenario predicted, the federal health care reform
legislation being debated would cost California’s General
Fund at least an additional $3 billion to $4 billion
annually.”
In its advocacy efforts, the Chamber has pointed out that
the bill presently being considered would create
considerable new burdens for the states’ job creators by
significantly increasing the payroll surtax and the addition
of a new voucher system that will devastate those same small
businesses.
Smeltzer added, “We recognize that the health care debate is
not over yet. We are hopeful that a conference between the
Senate and House can bring all stakeholders back to the
table. Since employers are the ones who will be responsible
for putting this reform into practice, their concerns must
be addressed. It is not too late for Congress to stop this
bill from becoming law and start over with the goal of truly
reforming our health care system. I urge citizens to call
Congress and share their views.”
The Chamber continues to make it a priority that any
healthcare reform proposal should contain responsible
healthcare infrastructure and insurance policy reforms that
result in increased availability of affordable coverage for
employers and their employees.
September 9,
2009
Chamber Opposes
Federal Healthcare Mandates
It is a priority of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce &
Visitors Bureau to support responsible healthcare
infrastructure and insurance policy reforms that result in
increased availability of affordable coverage for employers
and their employees.
The federal healthcare legislation under consideration would
not improve the current healthcare system. The Chamber is
concerned that current proposals might jeopardize the parts
of the healthcare system that currently work. Furthermore,
the Chamber believes that the creation of a new
government-run insurance plan is a step in the wrong
direction. The Chamber opposes government-run healthcare.
“Mandated healthcare reform costs cannot be forced upon the
business community at time when businesses continue to see
unemployment rise,” stated Marna Smeltzer, President/CEO of
the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “We
believe some type of reform is needed but if such reforms
include dissolving private insurance companies or limiting
their role, this is something we cannot support at this
time,” continued Smeltzer.
The Chamber is further concerned with a possible proposal to
mandate employers to either provide health insurance or pay
huge fines or payroll taxes. This “pay or play” mandate is
especially bad because employers are also required to pay
the majority of employee premiums. Even with some
exemptions, this provision will kill many jobs. It is the
position of the Redondo Beach Chamber that market forces and
employer autonomy should determine what benefits employers
provide, rather than legislative proposals by Congress.
The Redondo Beach Chamber continues to remain open and eager
to work its congressional representation and represent the
business community to reform the health care system.
Businesses, as providers of healthcare benefits, continue to
see health care costs rise far in excess of GDP growth or
inflation. The Chamber believes that responsible and
constructive healthcare reform is needed and is something
that we all need to support. However, reforms that are to be
enacted need to improve the healthcare system without
jeopardizing those who currently have coverage and not on
the backs of business.
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