United States Representative Bill Huizenga introduced legislation Friday afternoon that, if passed, would split the cost of health coverage for qualifying individuals four ways.
Holding a press conference in downtown Muskegon Friday afternoon, the Zeeland based Republican, who represents Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District, introduced a bill he authored called the “Community Multi-Care-Coverage-Program.”
If approved by the US Congress, the legislation would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants that would help locally owned business who provide health coverage to its employees.
The way it works is this: currently, for a number of employers, health care costs are split in thirds, meaning--the locally owned business, the health care provider and the individual all pay a portion of the coverage premium.
Under Rep. Huizenga’s new legislation, he says the costs would now be split into fourths, with the Federal Government contributing a portion of the cost as well. He says, he is confident the bill could get passed.
“This is prime time, and ready to go,” he said.
The legislation would just be a pilot program in the beginning with three to five sites across the country serving as a testing ground. One area, Congressman Huizenga said he felt confident would not only do well but would pitch the idea well to the federal government, Muskegon’s own Access Health, which Rep. Huizenga said is the original author of the idea.
The bill is expected to be introduced in Washington soon, but Congressman Huizenga said it may be after the election in November before legislators would be able to give it full attention.
