Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Lakemore police say man killed his wife in standoff
Suspect in Lakemore standoff expected to recover
Police raid Akron gaming parlor
Storm could bring heavy snow tonight, Saturday; Parking bans in effect
Palin says she's been exploited by Couric and Fey
Suspected meth lab busted in Cuyahoga Falls
Akron bridge closed for emergency
Browns' Mangini brings experience
Blogs:
Akron Law Café:
College Football is Un-American
The Heldenfiles:
Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.
Tribe Matters:
Shapiro puts Indians in position to win
Patrick McManamon:
ESPN clears up a key to tonight's game
Browns Bulletin:
Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini takes command
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics
CavsHQ: A Fan's View:
The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics
Akron Zips:
Five things you should know about Miami
Varsity Letters:
Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason
Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors
Car Chase:
January is auction time
See Jane Style:
Chicago Chic?
All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians
HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis
Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?
Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended
A governor's task force looks squarely at what is required to expand health coverage provided by Ohio employers
Published on Monday, Jul 28, 2008
About 1.3 million Ohio residents (12 percent of the state's population) lack health coverage. As previous studies also have noted, the uninsured Ohioan is likely to be a working-age adult and a high school graduate in a household where someone works full time.
There are many reasons so many Ohioans lack health coverage. Insurance companies are notorious, for example, for denying coverage to individuals tagged with the ''pre-existing condition'' label because of a history of serious illness. Among the most common explanations for the high percentage of uninsured is the number of small businesses that offer employees few or no health benefits.
Worse yet, studies show the number of employers who offer some coverage declining, as they opt out due to tightening finances and rising premium rates. Rapid increases in premiums in the individual market put health coverage beyond the range of many workers' incomes.
Thus the importance of Strickland's charge to the team to recommend ways to increase the number of small businesses capable of offering affordable health insurance to their workers. The report's proposal to expand employer-based coverage reflects the importance of insuring all workers, regardless of the size of their employer. Protecting their health should be a priority for the state.
One recommendation is that the state require Ohio employers who do not offer health benefits to establish Section 125 premium-only plans. This IRS mechanism gives workers the option to buy health coverage using pretax dollars, at the same time lowering their taxable income. For workers who cannot afford the premium costs, the report recommends state-sponsored assistance.
The point is frequently made that the thousands of small businesses across the state, often employing fewer than 50 people, form the backbone of local economies. These workers are an essential component of the economic fabric, their continued health and those of their dependents critical to productivity. Is it acceptable that a health-care system based largely on employment status continues to leave the majority of such workers uncovered?
The uninsured problem remains a challenge not for lack of effort to resolve it. The reality is that no number of reasonable recommendations can make a difference if nothing is done to restrain the cost of premiums and health-care services from outpacing the incomes of working families.
Get the full article here.

