State Approves Methodology to Allow Health Care
Program for Associations

Senate Bill 588 was ratified February 13, 2008.  This bill concerning health care for small employers was introduced in March of last year.  The bill written by Senators McConnell, Lourie, Rankin, Land, Ritchie, Cromer and Ford is an act that provides requirements, powers, duties and restrictions for small employer health group cooperatives. 

These acts require a report to the office of the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2010 on the effectiveness of the health group cooperatives in expanding health Insurance coverage for small employers.  The act also gives small employers the opportunity to form a cooperative for the purpose of providing health insurance to their employees.

The ratification of Senate bill 588 will help small business offer some type of health care for their eligible employees.  This bill was ratified on February 13, 2007.          This change in the insurance law opens the door for organizations like ACEC-SC and SCSPE to possibly offer health insurance programs to their members at competitive rates.