As if employers don't pay enough already -- or employees for that matter -- Democrat Delegate James W. Hubbard of Maryland wants to force health care minimums on small businesses.
Anyone who doesn't see the costs being passed onto consumers and a reduction in staff to pay for this is an idiot. Do these Democrats think that employers are just going to magically make this money appear? No it's coming out of someones pocket.
Washington Times
A Democratic lawmaker is aiming to force Maryland's small businesses to pay a minimum level of employee health benefits, expanding the so-called "Wal-Mart tax" to nearly every business in the state.
The bill by Delegate James W. Hubbard, Prince George's Democrat, would require businesses with fewer than 10,000 employees to spend 4.5 percent of payroll on employee health care or pay an equivalent amount to the state's Medicaid program. Nonprofit businesses with fewer than 10,000 employees would have to spend 3 percent or give the money to Medicaid.
I'm all for the American worker, but this is the wrong way to get health care paid for.
Tipped by: Say Anything who has a lot of comments that make sense.
Interestingly enough, many small business owners pay all or most of their employee's healthcare. I pay all of my employee's because as a small business, I have to fight with bigger employers for quality workers.
If they pass this, employers will only pay what the law requires, thus in the end, hurting the workers.
I'd be happy to pay just 3%.
Posted by: Scott on February 26, 2006 08:06 PM
