Officials from the governor's office will meet with the top level business leaders on Tuesday to discuss health care issues, including the increasing problem of the uninsured working poor.
Gov. Janet Napolitano wants to help increase health coverage for the working poor, as well as for employees of small businesses and retailers who do not offer insurance.
The Democratic governor plans on making health care a top issue next year.
Rising health care insurance and prescription drug costs make it difficult for some small businesses to offer coverage to their employees. A number of retailers and service companies also do not offer health benefits to part-time workers.
Possible solutions being discussed by state officials and the private sector include tax credits for small businesses to help them provide health insurance, expanding a state program aimed at the working poor and finding ways to decrease private sector health costs.
Labor unions are particularly critical of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) -- the state's largest employer -- because a number of the retailer's employees are on the state's version of Medicaid.
Republican legislative leaders are also meeting with top business lobbyists and executives this week to talk about next year's session at the state Capitol. Those discussions include possible tax cuts and regulatory relief.
Relations between the governor and state Assembly Republicans are poor and both sides are expected to push competing tax programs next year, which is also an election year.
www.phoenix.bizjournals.com
2 comments:
Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system. Health insurance is a major aspect to many.
Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system. Health insurance is a major aspect to many.
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