Florida Chamber: Obamacare Flawed, Meaningful Reform Needed

Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court of the United States ruling upholding the health care law.

Obamacare is a bad prescription for job creation and economic growth, and todays ruling will have a long-lasting effect on the spirit of Americas entrepreneurs -- true job creators.

The looming cloud of uncertainty and fear of enormous and costly employer obligations will now be realized under todays ruling and will cost many Floridians their employer-based health insurance, undermine job creation and raise health care costs for all.

Private-sector jobs, particularly small businesses, will be hit hardest. In fact, the federal health care law will be financially devastating for many small businesses. More than 4,500 jobs and at least $3.5 billion in sales are now at risk -- a sad reality just as Floridas economy was beginning to head in the right direction on jobs and reemployment.

Employers need a stable and predictable business climate to foster economic growth and that is why the Florida Chamber engaged in this lawsuit and co-filed an amicus brief with other state chamber of commerce.

Florida already has nearly 50 health care mandates. The last thing Florida job creators need is another Washington mandate placing burdensome and unreasonable regulations on their businesses. Yet the federal health care law establishes 159 new agencies, panels, commissions and regulatory bodies.

We recognize the cost of health care continues to rise. The United States continues to spend more per capita on health care than any other country and the Florida Chambers Small Business Index Survey consistently ranks increasing health care costs as one of the leading concerns of small business owners throughout our state.

But we remain deeply concerned that Obamacare is flawed. As we move forward, it is important that we roll up our sleeves and work toward more meaningful reform that doesnt hurt employers, impact employee wages, kill jobs and increase red-tape. True reform that makes health care affordable and accessible is needed -- not an unrealistic and burdensome Washington mandate.

The Florida Chamber commends Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for her bold leadership in leading this 26-state legal challenge.