Innovation, influence and business in America's medical cities.

Ohio Rep. Randy Gardner

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Proposed state legislation would create a task force to examine whether Ohio should use public money for incentives for small-business health coverage and wellness programs.

The group would be a fragile first step in getting state-funded inducements to help small businesses offer health care coverage. The “Small Business Health Care Affordability Task Force” would issue non-binding recommendations.

Made up largely of members of the legislature, the group would study the potential benefits of tax incentives for small businesses that provide employee health coverage, and other inducements for companies that offer health and wellness prevention to employees. The group also would compare similar efforts in other states and decide if they would work in Ohio, as well as review recent federal health-care legislation and its impact on small businesses.

Advertisement

If the legislation passes and the task force is created, it would issue a report to legislative leaders and the governor within six months.

The primary sponsor of the legislation is Republican Sixth District Rep. Randy Gardner.