Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Virginia Health Insurance Program Could Help Uninsured Small Business Workers
Virginia lawmakers, Governor Timothy Kaine, and a charity healthcare organization are teaming up to offer low-income residents working in small businesses health insurance.
The program subsidize one-third of an employee’s health plan premiums. The employer and the worker will be responsible for the rest. The subsidies will be targeted at those working in small businesses who earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
“We are really excited about this. It’s targeted to help the working uninsured,” said Marilyn B. Tavenner, the state Secretary of Health and Human Resources.
This new program will be funded by the state and the healthcare charity, the Riverside Foundation.
Governor Kaine has allotted $500,000 over two years for the program and the Riverside Foundation kicked in $1 million, reported the Newport News Daily Press.
“It looks like it could be a win-win situation, where we actually expand public-private partnerships and we provide incentives, so that maybe some small businesses can provide health-insurance coverage to people who are currently uninsured,” said state Delegate Phil Hamilton.
The program is scheduled to start in July.
“I wholeheartedly endorse the project,” added Delegate Hamilton.
Technorati Tags: Virginia health insurance small business health insurance riverside foundation
