Show-Me State Times

State lawmakers recently learned about the efforts of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry to reduce health care costs for small businesses. This was discussed during a hearing before the Senate Interim Committee on Driving Down the Cost of Healthcare.

Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Missouri Chamber, explained how the Chamber Benefit Plan was developed. "A common concern we hear from small businesses is that the cost of health care threatens their competitiveness," said Geisbuhler Sutherland. "Employees want to work for businesses that offer good health care coverage, and the rising cost of health care can make it difficult for small businesses to offer competitive health coverage options."

The Chamber Benefit Plan, established in 2017, allows small employers to join forces with other small businesses through a multiple employer welfare arrangement model (MEWA) to provide affordable quality health care coverage for their employees.

"The Chamber Benefit Plan has expanded to nearly 4,000 covered groups and over 45,000 individuals over the course of just a few years," noted Geisbuhler Sutherland.

To participate in this plan, a business must have between 2-50 employees, be based in Missouri, and maintain good standing with either the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry or a local participating chamber of commerce.

Data indicates high satisfaction among participating employers. A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that 80 percent of respondents reported saving at least 10 percent on health care coverage costs.

For more information about the Chamber Benefit Plan, click here.