SBAM Policy Position: Under current rules, small businesses are unable to band together to form their own risk pools with businesses outside of their industry.

I’m open to exploring any proposal seeking to lower the sky-high cost of health care, including those that would tweak businesses’ ability to form risk pools. Lowering health insurance costs is essential to helping Michigan’s small businesses grow. I would include employers, workers, unions, and health care advocates in that conversation to ensure our approach is balanced and protects both access and cost.

Yes. Small businesses should have more options to provide affordable, high-quality health coverage to their employees. Allowing small businesses to band together through Association Health Plans, regardless of industry, can increase purchasing power, expand choice, and help lower costs.

My approach to health care is centered on increasing competition, transparency, and access. Giving small businesses the flexibility to pool risk across industries is a commonsense reform that can help employers offer better benefits while making coverage more affordable for workers and their families.