CONCORD - In an effort to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers, Gov. John Lynch today urged the Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection committee to support legislation implementing the New Hampshire HealthFirst initiative.

Gov. Lynch unveiled the proposal, which will help reduce costs by making wellness insurance plans available to small businesses, during his State of the State Address last month.

“With this legislation, we are working to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance coverage for their workers,” Gov. Lynch said. “New Hampshire HealthFirst is aimed at giving small businesses access to the same types of innovations that large employers, including state government, are using as part of their efforts to control the growth in their health care costs, which will help keep workers healthier and keep health insurance in reach of employers.”

New Hampshire HealthFirst was developed in conjunction with the state Insurance Department, lawmakers, and other stakeholders. It will provide comparable coverage to existing health insurance plans, and reduce premiums by addressing the underlying cost drivers of health care increases through better prevention, better care management, and more efficient use of health care services.

Rhode Island passed similar legislation last year and reports a savings to small businesses of more than 15 percent when compared to similar coverage available in the market.

“This is a plan focused on the patient and on keeping the patient healthy. That translates into better, more cost-effective care,” Gov. Lynch said. “HealthFirst’s aim is to make it possible for all workers and their employers to access more affordable, comprehensive coverage. But it also requires all of us to take more responsibility for our own health, to make sure we are taking preventative measures and doing what we can to stay healthy.”

The HealthFirst legislation is part of a comprehensive effort being undertaken in the State of New Hampshire to help ensure more citizens have access to quality, affordable health care. The Citizens Health Initiative, created by Gov. Lynch several years ago, is working to make more information about health care costs available, to expand the use of electronic medical records and to make New Hampshire the first state where all providers can prescribe medications electronically.

“HealthFirst is the next step in helping to stabilize health care costs here in New Hampshire and it will give our small businesses a chance to continue offering health insurance to its workers,” Gov. Lynch said.

Senate Bill 540 is sponsored by Sens. Kathy Sgambati, Joe Foster, Maggie Hassan, Iris Estabrook, Deb Reynolds, Bob Odell, John Gallus, Jack Barnes, Jackie Cilley, Martha Fuller Clark, Molly Kelly, Lou D'Allesandro, David Gottesman, Sylvia Larsen and Harold Janeway; Reps. Martha McLeod, Sharon Nordgren, Peter Bergin, James Pilliod and Ed Butler.