WBA to continue health insurance battle

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, February 28, 2008

A disappointing turnout at Monday’s health insurance public meeting isn’t going to stop the Wheatfield Business Association.

In the works are a resolution by the Wheatfield Town Board asking state and federal leaders to investigate out-of-control health insurance costs and polices, an attempt to get other town and county governments and agencies to do the same, a possible protest bus trip to Albany, plus another meeting in March (the date will be announced in the Tribune).

Only about 30 people turned out for Monday’s meeting.

“One of the reasons we see this small amount of people is a number of people don’t think there is anything they can do,” said Tom Stevenson, WBA president and owner of Stevenson Construction.

He noted that the area’s three major insurance companies had been invited to the meeting. Community Blue indicated a willingness to meet, but not in front of the press. Independent Health responded, but didn’t come. Univera didn’t even respond.

“The arrogance of these companies is just unbelievable,” Stevenson said. “It’s time all of us took a look and said, ‘That’s enough!’ ”

Also invited to send representatives were the area’s state and federal legislators. The only representative at the meeting was James W. Ward, executive advisor for State Sen. George Maziarz. Maziarz was in session in Albany.

“I think the whole system needs to be redone,” Ward said, noting that years ago the state changed the rules so that HMOs and other insurance carriers didn’t have to hold public hearings.

Already on board is Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler, who held a press conference last fall with the WBA to decry the huge leap in health insurance premiums for this year. The town’s cost for health insurance for its employees went up almost 30 percent.

Demler charged that insurance companies are maintaining high profit margins at the cost of peoples’ health. Premiums are going up, but the quality of service is “dubious at best,” he said.

“We can’t just have this meeting, talk about it, get it off our chest and forget about it,” he said. “We can’t afford not to get mad.”

Jim Candella, WBA vice president and owner of Candella’s Landscaping, said at least when gas and electric costs go up the companies have to account to the state and hold public hearings, but there’s no controls on insurance companies. He and his wife paid $224 a month for health insurance for the two of them in 2000. Now, it’s $305 each.

“Where does this stop?” he asked.

WBA member MJ Brzeczkowski pointed out that high health insurance premiums also hurt small businesses. When a small business can’t afford to pay the employees it trains health insurance, it often loses those employees to bigger companies that can.

The WBA plans to get other business associations and chambers of commerce involved in the fight. Showing support at Monday’s meeting was Joyce Santiago, executive director of the Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Heisner, director of the Project Future Center and WBA member, noted that someone can come into the country illegally and get health care, while many legal residents have to do without.

“I’m not saying the government has to pay everything. I’m willing to pay my fair share,” he said. “What can we do? What can I do? I hope we can stick together and talk this up.”

“This is a start,” Ward said.