Health reform splits business away from Republican alliances

Traditionally, big businesses and Republican legislators have been the best of friends. But during the reform debate, it seems, that friendship has come under strain, stretched thin by healthcare cost pressures.

Economically conservative Republicans have won support among big business leaders by opposing restrictions on business decision-making and operations, including some changes emerging in the reform discussion. Now, however, some large businesses are splitting with Republicans who oppose reform, arguing that in the face of steadily expanding healthcare costs, moving ahead with health system changes of some kind is critical.

While large businesses are decidedly against any mandate that employers provide coverage, they do seem receptive to the notion of a national insurance exchange allowing individuals and small businesses to buy insurance, according to coverage in the Wall Street Journal.

The National Foundation of Independent Businesses, a trade group representing small businesses, also favors the insurance exchange concept [1], a rare instance in which big and small biz interests seem unified. Let's see how long this lasts.

To learn more about this issue:
- read the Wall Street Journal item [2]
- read the NFIB's statement [1] on health reform

Related Articles:
Commonwealth Fund calls reforms, including health exchanges [3]
Report: California experiences should guide national health exchange discussion [4]
Including public option plans could save U.S. $265 billion, report says [5]