GATHERING HEARS POINT-COUNTERPOINT

The subjects of health, education, and workers' compensation create lively discussions among business leaders, says Tony Reinhart, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

"Business leaders have mixed feelings on the education tax package which is before the Missouri legislature," said Reinhart, who was a guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee Friday.

"One of the biggest questions appears to be whether policymakers should adopt a new funding formula and then submit a funding package or vice-versa," Reinhart said.

Reinhart and Beth Fitch conducted a "Point-Counterpoint" program during the Friday Coffee meeting held at the Drury Lodge. They discussed a half-dozen issues, including education, health, and workers' compensation.

Other issues discussed by Reinhart and Fitch included public employee collective bargaining, striker replacement and employment at will.

All persons attending the Friday Coffee were asked to fill out a survey sheet, complete with comments.

"Most businesses we've surveyed oppose legislation concerning the latter three subjects," said Reinhart.

"The (businesses) are mixed on feelings about education, and have many concerns about universal health care. Most, however, do support the workers' compensation legislation," Reinhart said.

Reinhart said the Missouri Chamber of Commerce had talked with 600 to 700 businesses throughout the state and will be talking with others.

"Of more than 3,100 businesses that responded to a recent survey, 2,504, or 80 percent, listed health care costs as their number one priority," said Reinhart.

He said a majority of businesses expressed concern that a universal health plan would pose many problems.

Among those concerns, he said, are the costs of financing a free health package and the feeling that most individuals would not have the same good health care they enjoy today.

"Missouri really cannot afford to become an island of free health care," said Reinhart. "Many of the state's highly trained health care professionals would leave Missouri."

He said the proposed 9 per cent payroll tax on employers will not cover the costs.

Reinhart said businesses favor most of the ideas included in the workers' compensation bill, which calls for the definition of an accident and limitations on attorney fees.

"Missouri ranks number two in the nation in attorney involvement, with a 40 percent involvement rate," said Reinhart. "This is double the national rate of 20 percent. The St. Louis attorney involvement rate is even higher, at 60 percent."

During the Point-Counterpoint session, Fitch gave the "point" view, with Reinhart giving the "counterpoint."

Fitch's strongest point came in the educational bill discussions. She said that school funding must be more accountable to Missouri taxpayers and policymakers should make the necessary reforms to put Missouri citizens at ease, and only then submit a funding package.

Concerning health, she pointed to the Canadian universal health system where "every Canadian has equal access to health care without deductibles, co-insurance or extra billings."

Reinhart said most business leaders questioned where the state could afford the universal health care package, and the suggested 9 percent payroll tax would be insufficient.

"Many say it would take more like a 15 percent tax."

Before the Friday program, it was announced that the annual one-day Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce membership blitz would take place May 11.