Written Testimony of Summa Health in Support of S.B. 105
Summary
Written testimony from Summa Health, dated June 30, 2021, addressed to Chair Jay Edwards, Vice Chair Jena Powell and Ranking Member Terrence Upchurch of the Ohio House Economic and Workforce Development Committee. The letter supports Senators Sykes and Schuring's S.B. 105 legislation, which concerns Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification reciprocity. It states that the current system requiring multiple certifications is burdensome for minority, women and veteran-owned businesses and that a streamlined, reciprocal process would expand their access to opportunities. The testimony cites a National Bureau of Economic Research report that more than 40% of U.S. Black-owned businesses closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. It is signed by Summa Health's President and Chief Executive Officer.
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“Written Testimony of Summa Health in Support of S.B. 105.”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/committee-43893b8f1ee47637/
, SHA-256 33830f754d592a3717c2c714fbacfba5e32cd1e9bc4bc354bbebbcdcc3f7cb88.Full text
Summa Corporate Office ‘ey’ H ea lth ne 1077 Gorge Boulevard Akron, Ohio 44310 tel 330-375-3000 summahealth.org June 30, 2021 TO: The Honorable Representative Jay Edwards, Chair, House Economic and Workforce Development Committee The Honorable Representative Jena Powell, Vice Chair, House Economic and Workforce Development Committee The Honorable Representative Terrence Upchurch, Ranking Member, House Economic and Workforce Development Committee As the largest employer and healthcare provider of the greater Akron region, we are excited to provide support to Senators’ Sykes and Schuring S.B. 105 legislation, the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification reciprocity. Summa Health is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion both across our organization and within the communities we serve. Removing barriers to MBE certification is a critical step towards providing minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses equal access to compete for economic opportunities. Minority, women, and veteran owned enterprises face significant hurdles to entrepreneurship, including limited resources and access that affect their ability to compete for public contracts. The COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted minority communities, has only exacerbated the challenges facing these businesses. For example, the National Bureau of Economic Research reported that more than 40% of U.S. Black-owned businesses closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. The current certification system requiring these businesses to apply for and maintain multiple certifications and processes is burdensome, time-consuming, and disincentivizes participation in local business opportunities. At Summa Health we are dedicated to improving the health and economic well-being of our community and eliminating disparities among its members. A streamlined, reciprocal certification process would make it easier and more efficient for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to operate and flourish. Reducing the administrative burden on these mostly small businesses would further expand access and opportunities to these underrepresented groups and encourage more diversity in a broader range of industries that operate within public and private sectors. We strive to create and sustain an environment that actively embraces diversity and inclusion among our patients, employees, and our business and community partners. A critical component towards achieving this environment is supporting and enabling opportunities for these diverse partners to thrive. Summa Health is proud to support this much needed legislation which has the potential to grow businesses and earnings not only for minority, women, and veteran- owned businesses, but also for Ohio. We thank our public leadership for considering this timely legislation and urge for its prompt passage. I thank you in advance for considering our request. CLIFF DEVE Cliff Deveny, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Summa Health
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