May 21, 2012Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos909 Legislative Office BuildingAlbany, NY 12247Dear Senator Skelos:As you are keenly aware, the cost of health care continues to be a major concern for New York
State’s
hardworking taxpayers and businesses. At the beginning of this legislative session, weestablished a coalition dedicated to improving the economic climate in New York State. Ourgroup has identified and stated our position on a number of
“business
-
related” bills
, includingthose that would impact the cost of health care and/or health insurance.We were fortunate to have you participate in our April 18
th
“Small Business Day”
advocacyefforts at the Capitol and appreciate your leadership on many of the issues that affect what ittakes to start, own and operate a business.One of the key bills that our coalition has identified as an impediment to improving
the state’
sbusiness environment is legislation that will drive up health care costs by establishing minimum
payments for doctors who do not participate in a health plan’s network.
When a provider is not in a health plan’s network, they are free to charge a patient any amount
they believe they are entitled to. This bill (S.5068A/A.7489B) establishes a minimum paymentfor all non-participating doctors, which not only creates a strong incentive for additional doctorsto not participate in health plan networks. Moreover, the bill fails to address the doctor turningaround and billing the consumer for any amount they desire. The result is a windfall for thedoctors and an increase in the cost of premiums for all of us.
New York State’s consumers currently have the abilit
y to choose health plans with out-of-network benefits and rates they feel are best suited for their individual health care needs andaffordability.Mandating excessive reimbursement thresholds, as this bill would do, will result in increasedhealth insurance costs while limiting flexibility and choice for consumers. As a result, it willhave a negative impact on New York
’s
businesses.For these reasons, our coalition opposes this bill. We urge you and your Senate Majoritycolleagues to continue to follow through on your commitments to taxpayers and businesscommunity and take no favorable action on S.5068A/A.7489B.Sincerely,Unshackle UpstateNational Federation of IndependentBusinessBusiness Council of New York StateNew York Farm BureauNew York State Builders AssociationManufacturers Association of Central NewYork The Employer Alliance for AffordableHealthcareEmpire State Forest Products AssociationSupport Services AllianceNew York State Motor Truck AssociationEmpire State Restaurant and TavernAssociationNew York Main Street Small BusinessCoalitionThe New York State Liquor StoreAssociationThe Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
May 21, 2012Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver932 Legislative Office BuildingAlbany, NY 12248Dear Speaker Silver:As you are keenly aware, the cost of health care continues to be a major concern for New York
State’s
hardworking taxpayers and businesses. At the beginning of this legislative session, weestablished a coalition dedicated to improving the economic climate in New York State. Ourgroup has identified and stated our pos
ition on a number of “business
-
related” bills, including
those that would impact the cost of health care and/or health insurance. In addition, on April18
th
, we held
“Small Business Day” at the Capitol
and were able to meet with your staff on theseissues.
One of the key bills that our coalition has identified as an impediment to improving the state’s
business environment is legislation that will drive up health care costs by establishing minimumpayments for doctors who do not participate in a health pl
an’s network.When a provider is not in a health plan’s network, they are free to charge a patient any amount
they believe they are entitled to. This bill (S.5068A/A.7489B) establishes a minimum paymentfor all non-participating doctors, which not only creates a strong incentive for additional doctors
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