Bill May Require Companies to Provide Health Insurance

NEW YORK, NY, March 08, 2006 — Many companies in New York State may soon be required to provide health insurance for their employees.

Lawmakers in Albany have introduced bills that are similar to one introduced in New Jersey that would require companies with more than 100 workers to pay at least 8 percent of their payroll for health coverage. The New York bills which would affect 450,000 workers who currently don't have health coverage have bipartisan support.

The push for the bill comes after a similar one passed in Maryland that was aimed at forcing Wal-Mart to provide better health care coverage.