Wicker, Cochran co-sponsor Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) have co-sponsored a bill aimed at protecting those employed at small- and medium-sized businesses from insurance premium hikes resulting from Obamacare.

S.1099, also known as the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, was introduced by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. The measure would allow individual states to keep their small group insurance market definition at 50 employees – Obamacare sets the threshold at 100 employees.

“This is another example of the administration’s onerous power grabs and further evidence of Obamacare’s unrealistic demands,” Wicker said. “The decision to resize or redefine health insurance market groups should remain in the jurisdiction of the states. Sen. Scott’s bill would help Mississippi’s small businesses avoid unnecessary premium increases under these new regulations.”

Cochran agreed.

“From increased premiums to lost plans, the negative effects of the Affordable Care Act have limited health care options for many Mississippians,” Cochran said. “By making a simple change to an overly complex law, this legislation would prevent another burdensome Obamacare regulation from further increasing health care costs for small businesses and their employees.”

S.1099 would negate the Obamacare mandate on states.

A bipartisan group of 40 senators have joined Wicker and Cochran in co-sponsoring the legislation. The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.