Health Care Forum Focuses on Businesses

MIDLAND -- To ease the frustration of local businesses, the midland chamber of commerce teamed up with four other companies to discuss how the 2010 legislation will affect businesses. The more than seventy people who showed up to the seminar is a reflection of the confusion caused by the new health care reform. And the problem with the new bill? Its not finished.

"Its very confusing because its still a work in progress. They have not enacted all the rules. " Said David Hurta, a lender at Wells Fargo.

So businesses, small and large, came to the seminar, hoping to get some answers.

"Most businesses are most confused where they are and what they should be doing, people want more information on healthcare legislation and how to address those mandates. " Said Rob Cunningham, CEO of Chamber of Commerce.

Providing that information were two speakers. Rusty Rice from the Texas Association Health Underwriters and Dan Stultz from the Texas Hospital Association. Both have studied these changes at length.

"My goal was to give them an overview of basic information, who they can go to if they need help and the basic design of the bill and what are the good things and what are the pitfalls. " Said Rusty Rice.

However, since the bill has passed, this wasn't a debate of pros and cons , it was simply a discussion of how to best handle these change.

"There is a lot of angst out there, both hospitals and businesses. what we are trying to do is educate and relieve the anxiety or angst about whats happening. " said Dan Stultz, CEO of Texas Hospital Association.

As the bill and rules become more concrete, this group plans on hosting more workshops about the changes, to try and make the transition as painless as possible.