I have been a lifelong resident of St. Clair County, and I am honored to serve as our state senator. My goal is, and has always been, to ensure that our community continues to thrive. 

As a promise to my constituents when I was first elected, I have always supported and advocated for programs that benefit individuals, businesses, and our state’s economy. 

That comes in a lot of forms – whether encouraging private investment in the community, facilitating a favorable tax landscape for growth, or empowering our employers make the decisions necessary to stay afloat and create jobs. 

One program that touches all of these areas is employer-provided health coverage. 

Employer-provided coverage is a great example of private sector investment in the workforce. It is a commitment from employers to offer hardworking Alabama residents good, quality health care, at a fair cost – a commitment that makes more than just financial sense, but one that also inspires loyalty and fosters retention of top talent. 

Businesses of all sizes have the flexibility to choose from a variety of plans that are made for their staff’s particular needs, and they see a considerable return on their investment. 

A report from the U.S. Chamber finds that employers will receive an estimated 47-52% ROI in the coming years as a result of increased productivity, reduction in medical cost, and tax benefits. As any business owner knows, that is a significant return. 

As the healthcare debate continues in Washington, D.C., I hope our congressional delegation continues to recognize and support programs that already provide affordable and accessible paths to health care in this country.

Employer-provided coverage is already covering over 2 million Alabamians – let’s build on that.

Lance Bell serves in the Alabama State Senate representing the people of St. Clair County