Innovative Solutions for Small Employers
On Sept. 22, 2008, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing: "Innovative Solutions for Small Employers: Arizona and Oklahoma Experiences in Expanding Health Insurance Coverage Options for Small Employers."
One of the biggest challenges for healthcare reform is how to address the uninsured problem among workers in small firms. This briefing explored innovative solutions from Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and state governments – including premium subsidy programs in Arizona and Oklahoma – that are helping to expand coverage for small employers and their employees.
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Speakers included:
- Mary Nell Lehnhard, Senior Vice President, Office of Policy and Representations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
- Paul Fronstin, Director, Health Research and Education Program, Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Mr. Fronstin discusses trends in insurance coverage specific to the small group market including data from a survey of small employers.
- Bert Marshall, President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corporation. Mr. Marshall provides an overview of the Insure Oklahoma program which currently provides coverage to almost 10,000 employees. He will also share results of a new small employer survey about the program.
- Donald Russell, DVM, Owner, Sooner Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Russell shares how the Insure Oklahoma program has helped his business in Norman, Oklahoma by enabling him to offer affordable coverage to his employees.
- Charles Bassett, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona. Mr. Bassett discusses how the state premium subsidy program in Arizona has helped make coverage more affordable for small employers.
For more information, please contact Kelly Miller at Kelly.Miller@bcbsa.com.
