Health insurance is incredibly complicated. But what isn’t complicated is that access to health insurance saves lives.

As Senate chair of the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee for the past four years, I’ve worked with both Democrats and Republicans to make it easier for people to access affordable health care coverage and for small businesses to offer their employees health care.

It’s why I was extremely disappointed to read a recent letter from Rep. Joshua Morris (“Lowering costs is top issue for Maine Republicans,” May 21) attacking a new law that will actually help lower costs for small businesses and employees.

The truth is that health insurance costs are crushing small businesses. As a small business owner myself, I’ve seen it firsthand and heard the same from my peers.

It’s why I was thrilled to work with the Mills Administration on this new law that will reduce premiums for Mainers insured through their small business employer, make it easier for small businesses to offer insurance and stabilize the market.

In Maine, small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create good-paying jobs and are vested in our communities. Offering health insurance makes it easier to attract and retain employees, especially in a tight labor market.

This new law is good for workers, businesses, the health of our communities and the economy. So if Rep. Morris wants to manipulate data to score political points in an election year, he should look elsewhere.

Sen. Heather Sanborn, Portland

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