Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • ADVERTISE
    • AWARDS
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • DIRECTORY
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • Best Places to Work
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
September 24, 2014 02:00 AM

House examines small biz health options program

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    WASHINGTON (Sept. 24, 2014) — The U.S. House Committee on Small Business' Subcommittee on Health and Technology held a hearing on Sept. 18 to examine the effectiveness of the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOPs).

    According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the purpose of the hearing—titled, “An Update on the Small Business Health Options Program: Is It Working for Small Businesses?”—was to determine if SHOPs is working as designed. SHOPs are marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to assist small business owners in comparing and purchasing health insurance plans for their employees.

    During the hearing, the ASA said members of the subcommittee “were quick to raise questions regarding the efficiency of the SHOPs.”

    Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., subcommittee chairman, stated in his opening remarks: “Despite spending vast amounts of time and taxpayer dollars establishing the SHOPs, the program continues to be beset by operational delays and other problems that have undermined their utility as a tool for small businesses.

    “These problems include the inability to utilize Web-based portals, limited choice of plans, and a lack of insurance carrier participation in the SHOPs.”

    Throughout the hearing, according to the ASA, “members expressed frustration with the administration's apparent lack of concern about the SHOPs performance. Despite several requests, the committee has not received any information regarding enrollment numbers or progress updates.”

    Roger Stark, a health care policy analyst at the Washington Policy Center in Seattle who testified as a witness before the subcommittee, said that “although the employer mandate is a critical part of the ACA, the SHOP marketplace for small businesses seems to be almost an afterthought in the law.”

    The ASA noted he also stated that “there is no clear evidence of interest on the part of small companies to provide health insurance through a marketplace with tax credits.”

    More information about the SHOP program is available on the government's healthcare website.

    According to information on that website, participants can apply for and enroll in SHOP coverage for employees of their small businesses directly through an agent, broker or insurance company. SHOP enrollment is open throughout the year, the website states, with the deadline to enroll always the 15th day of the month for coverage to be effective on the first day of the following month.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Pirelli won't bid for WRC tire supply contract
    2
    Canada court rules for Michelin in tire trademark case
    3
    Grupo Tersa's Valle becomes first Mexican to earn Humanitarian award
    4
    Atlantic Tire & Service founder Blackman dies at 69
    5
    TIA elects 6 new board members
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • ADVERTISE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • DIRECTORY
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
    • DIGITAL EDITION