The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Employers for Quality Health Care offer conditional support to health care reforms

Sep 2 2009

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has joined Employers for Quality Health Care, an unprecedented multi-state alliance of 20 state chambers of commerce and employer organizations formed to advocate for federal health care reforms that reduce costs, improve quality and extend coverage to more Americans - but not if it raises taxes, kill jobs or erodes employer-sponsored coverage.

"The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Employers for Quality Health Care support efforts underway in Congress to reform the health care system for individuals and job providers alike and share many of their goals," said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber.

"However, we oppose many of the drastic changes currently under consideration that would duplicate the failed systems of other nations, including an employer mandate, a costly new government-run health care system that would take away options for the over 5.7 million Michigan citizens who have employer-provided coverage and taxes on employers and employees to cover the costs of the $1.2 to $2.4 trillion proposal," said Jim Holcomb Vice President of Business Advocacy and Associate Legal Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.

"As Congress returns from its August recess, we hope they will take the productive input they've received from constituents in town hall meetings and other venues and start the process anew with a focus on cost-saving reforms that eliminate mandates, empower consumers to make informed decisions about competition and costs, and provide incentives that emphasize healthy behaviors," said Block.

"We stand ready to work with Michigan's Congressional Delegation to achieve this objective," concluded Holcomb.