Some Iowa lawmakers last week announced their support for a measure that would allow small businesses, local governments and not-for-profit groups to buy into the state employee health care coverage program, the AP/Omaha World-Herald reports.

The plan still is being developed, but if approved it would help small businesses compete, Sen. Jack Hatch (D-Iowa) said at a Statehouse press conference. He added that previously, many business owners resisted efforts to expand health care coverage but as the price of health insurance continues to increase, they are reconsidering their positions.

Hatch said that Gov. Chet Culver (D) has promised to support the measure (AP/Omaha World-Herald, 1/15).

Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

© 2009 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.