O'Malley Cites Columbia Business to Illustrate Importance of Health Care Ruling

Gov. Martin O'Malley is highlighting a Columbia businessman's support for the Affordable Care Act as an example of why the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law matters in Maryland.

"The Affordable Care Act is critically important for our state's and nation's ability to create jobs, expand opportunity and protect the health of our children and parents," said O'Malley said in a release. "This matters for Maryland."

O'Malley then linked to an op-ed that Brian England, owner of in Columbia, wrote for the Baltimore Sun about how the act affected his business.

In the op-ed, England explained that he and his wife would always dread August, when they would have to renew the health insurance policy that covered their 19 employees.

"We've become accustomed to rates going up 10 percent to 20 percent each year," wrote England.

But in 2011, England was told by his insurance agent their rates were going to go down by 6 percent.

"Our agent explained that our rate correction was thanks to the 'medical loss ratio' requirement in the Affordable Care Act—a piece of the law that requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of the premiums they collect on actual health care costs, as opposed to CEO salaries, advertising and administration," wrote England.

At the end of the op-ed, England said feared these savings would be taken away by a Supreme Court decision, but , he can rest easier.

"It's unbelievable," said England in an interview with Patch on Thursday. "I'm walking on air."

England said he had been so involved with the issue that he went down to the Supreme Court Thursday to be there when they announced the decision.

"I heard the cheering and thought the cheering is not very loud," said England describing his experience at the Court today. "It didn't seem loud enough to be the people against it."

He then found out the Act had been upheld and celebrated with a friend who was with him.

"It's very good news," said England. "We really need a healthy country and to do that we need to provide health care. This is going to make a big difference."

England said his company's health insurance rates are going to rise 10 percent in 2012, but he noted that's a much smaller increase than in previous years. He said the 4 percent increase in his company's health insurance payments over the past two years is the smallest increase in rates over two years since he opened in 1978.

"Over any two year period beforehand it was going up 30 to 40 percent every two years," said England.

England said he has been working with the Maryland Health Department to help them implement the new health care plan.

"If you know anything about the [Act], you know it has helped so many people so far," said England. "It's not perfect, but it's the best you're going to get under the circumstances."