Kentucky House panel OKs expanding small biz health coverage

The Kentucky House budget committee has approved a measure to expand the ICARE program, which helps small businesses provide health insurance. If passed, the bill would make the ICARE program available to employers with two to 50 workers, compared with the current range of two to 25. ICARE gives eligible companies a subsidy of $40 per employee if they begin offering a health plan for the first time in at least a year. The bill will now goes to the full Kentucky House for consideration.