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Businesses protest health bill
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March 10, 1998: 2:18 p.m. ET
Majority would drop health coverage if patient protection bill is approved
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - More than half the nation's small businesses are likely to stop offering health coverage for workers and dependents if new patient protection legislation currently before Congress becomes law, according to a recent survey.
The poll, conducted for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also shows 57 percent would be "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to drop coverage if a liability provision in the legislation is also approved.
The provision, part of the Patient Access to Responsible Care Act, would allow covered employees to sue their employers if they disagreed with health benefit decisions.
U.S. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Donohue said the survey showed it's vital for Congress not to take employer-sponsored health coverage for granted.
"Any action by Congress which puts these workers' coverage in jeopardy isn't about patient protection or consumer rights," he said.
The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies Inc. of Alexandria, Va., also showed 46 percent of employers would be likely to stop providing coverage if legislated mandates hiked premiums by 20 percent. Sixty-three percent said employees would have to pay a greater share if costs rose as much as 10 percent.
Also, 61 percent of those surveyed would be less likely to support their Congressional delegation if the member supported legislation.
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