Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2004
Contact Pamela Finch
(315) 363-9657
Pamela.finch@verizon.net
Employer Alliance Reports Record Growth in 2004
ALBANY/ONEIDA – A record number of businesses joined the
Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care during the state’s
2003-2004 Legislative session, retaining the group’s standing as the
largest single-issue grassroots business coalition in New York State,
said Public Relations Director Pamela Finch.
The Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care is a coalition of
small business owners, sole proprietors, chambers of commerce and other
business associations committed to preserving quality, affordable health
care. At a recent Board of Directors meeting, Finch reported that the
organization has gained 950 new members this year, bringing total
membership up to 2,100. The influx of members is due to aggressive
recruitment efforts coupled by double-digit premium hikes that have
plagued portions of the business community for five consecutive years.
A breakdown of Alliance members shows that more than half are
businesses with five or less employees, Finch said. Three hundred
thirty-one are sole proprietors and 200 members have more than 50
employees. Alliance members live and work as far west as Niagara Falls,
east to Montauck and north to Adams.
The Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care incorporated in 1997
to oppose health insurance mandates adopted by the New York State
Legislature. These laws require insurance carriers to cover specific
treatments or services, which in turn increases premiums and results in
more uninsured New Yorkers. An actuary study commissioned by the group
in 2003 showed the cost of funding New York’s 33 existing mandates to be
$1,066 per employee per year.
To learn more about the work of the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care, visit www.employeralliance.com or contact the communications office at (315) 363-9657. |
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