Question 9:
Would you OPPOSE additional mandates on health insurance that require that specific benefits are offered? Please answer yes or no. You may provide an explanation if you so choose.
SBAM Policy Position: Coverage mandates on health insurance add costs to already unaffordable health insurance expenses.
Jocelyn Benson (D)
My top priority is lowering healthcare costs for families and small businesses – that’s why healthcare was the first piece of my affordability agenda that I rolled out this year. Everyone deserves access to accessible, affordable healthcare so I would carefully evaluate any new coverage mandate to ensure it improves care without driving up premiums or making coverage less affordable.
John James (R)
I oppose additional health insurance mandates that increase costs and reduce flexibility for employers and consumers. Every new coverage mandate may be well-intentioned, but it ultimately increases premiums and makes health insurance less affordable for families, workers, and small businesses.
My approach is to lower costs by increasing competition, expanding choice, promoting transparency, and giving consumers more control over their health care decisions. Michigan should focus on making coverage more affordable and accessible, not adding mandates that drive up costs and limit options.