SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 1512

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: OCTOBER 28, 1996

 

 

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1512.

      This bill permits health insurance carriers, including health maintenance organizations, to offer discounts to small employers who agree to pay the premiums for their health benefits plans by means of an automatic electronic transfer of funds, provided that carriers apply such discounts uniformly to all small employers choosing that method of payment.

      Under current law, no differences in premiums charged to small employers are permitted, other than those based on the age of the employees in the group, their gender, and the location of the business in the State.