BY KHADIJA BATUTA

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion, "Health Insurance Reform: How It Will Impact Your Business" on May 4.  Moderated by WWRL-AM 1600 Morning Show host and New York Daily News columnist Errol T. Louis, the panel of health care experts and small business owners weighed in on elements of the recently passed federal health care reform legislation and what it means for businesses.  The panelists explained that many of the law's components do not go into effect until 2014, and will not be understood fully until they are interpreted through implementing regulations.  While some pieces of the legislation will benefit small businesses immediately, such as tax credits, many of the law’s expanded consumer protections have been in place for many years in New York State.

The event was hosted at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.  The Chamber thanks St. Francis College and the event sponsor, Atlantis Health Plan, as well as Northside Bakery for providing breakfast.  Media sponsors for the event included WWRL-AM 1600, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Crain's New York Business, and Crain's Health Pulse.

To watch the video of the forum, including Mr. Louis' live radio show at the event with interviews of several of the panelists, click here.