Letter to the Editor

Exchange would help businesses

Shay Alderman's Feb. 18 story, "Affordable Care Act has changed the rules when it comes to insuring your child," brought up an important point regarding the role of brokers in Missouri's state exchange, which will open in 2014. Many of the brokers she quoted expressed concern that the exchange would cut brokers out of the process and do a disservice to small businesses and individuals utilizing them.

Since the rules of the exchange in Missouri haven't been established, assuming brokers won't be part of this marketplace is shortsighted. Large majorities of small businesses trust their brokers when purchasing insurance, which is why it's imperative brokers play a role in the exchange. They do a tremendous service to their small business clients and need a seat at the table if these critical marketplaces are to be successful.

We know Missouri small businesses support a state exchange, as well. Polling [that] Small Business Majority conducted found 53 percent would use our state exchange, compared to a mere 10 percent who wouldn't.

With the exchange slated to open in just nine months, it's important small businesses and those who serve them make their voices heard as the exchange rules are being written. Instead of disparaging a program that has the ability to rein in costs for struggling small businesses, we should be urging policymakers to make the exchange as robust and well rounded as possible. Small businesses in Missouri and across the nation need them to be.

MARY TIMMEL, Missouri outreach manager,

Small Business Majority, St. Louis, Mo.