Maryland Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Ron Wineholt submitted testimony yesterday to the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. The committee, co-chaired by Se. Rob Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) and Del. Dan Morhaim (D-Dist. 11), is conducting hearings this summer and fall, working to develop consensus on proposals to expand access to health care.

Wineholt encouraged lawmakers to stay away from employer assessments in the wake of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court’s decision to strike down the “Wal-Mart Bill.” Instead, he urged them to take action to make health insurance more affordable for individuals and employers. His recommendations included:

Reforming the small group plan to give small employers more options. Encouraging greater use of section 125 plans. Mandating that individuals with high incomes purchase health insurance. Pursuing a tax refund intercept for hospital bad debt. Reviewing statutory mandates and underwriting requirements that add to the cost of health insurance. To view Wineholt’s complete testimony, click here (pdf).