Affordable health insurance for small businesses stalls in panel

The House Business and Labor Committee voted against funding and creating a task force that would look for ways to make health insurance for small businesses more affordable.

HB152's sponsor, Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, said the number of uninsured Utahns is troubling.

He pointed that most of those without insurance have jobs, and many work for small businesses. "Health insurance, is, was and will continue to be an issue that weighs heavily on our bottom lines," Mascaro said.

Rep. Kevin Garn, R-Layton, said he was concerned about any government involvement in health care. "The only thing government can do is subsidize or issue mandates," he said.

The bill had the backing of several different chambers of commerce.

Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake, who offered the motion that prevented the bill from moving forward, said she thought the governor's office of economic development would be able to study the issue in a more cost-effective manner.