The Edmond Sun

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March 23, 2010

Local, state business leaders react to bill passage

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Bigger government and mandated health care will put unnecessary burdens on Oklahoma families, small businesses and senior citizens, business leaders and lawmakers said Monday.

Hours after the House passed historic health care reform legislation that now awaits President Barack Obama’s signature, Edmond and state business leaders reacted to the development which affects one-sixth of the nation’s economy.

Ken Moore, president and CEO of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber will be examining the complex legislation, and has not had an opportunity to determine if it will be positive or negative for small businesses.

Complicating things further, some provisions will not take effect immediately, some as late as 2014, Moore said. And, with remaining work to be done with the reconciliation bill, more changes may be forthcoming, he said.

Moore said he has not received any phone calls from concerned Edmond businessowners, but they have been waiting and watching like everyone else. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been actively speaking out about the bill, he said.

“The U.S. Chamber lobbied against the bill because of the impact on small businesses,” Moore said.

Matt Robison, vice president of small business and work force development with the State Chamber of Oklahoma, urged Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson to challenge the constitutionality of the bill as soon as it becomes law. The mandate to buy health insurance is at the center of the controversy, Robison said.





marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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