By ANDREW MARTINS

Staff Writer

A new health care plan offered by CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, is being called an alternative to the federal Affordable Healthcare Act.

It could give business owners who belong to local chambers of commerce an opportunity to provide health insurance for their employees.

We became painfully aware of what is going on in the small-business community in regard with what is happening to the [health care] market, CentraState President and CEO John Gribbin said. With Obamacare turning the market upside-down, employers are looking for solutions.

The CentraState Community Health Plan (CCHP) was created in conjunction with QualCare to try to contain what Gribbin said are disproportionately rising costs in the health care market.

We are getting reports of dramatic increases in health care prices. We are talking 20, 30 and 40 percent increases, he said.

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce is the latest organization to sign on to the health care plan, joining the Greater Monmouth Chamber of the Commerce, Freehold, and the Howell Chamber of Commerce.

In order for a business to join the CCHP, it must join one of those three chambers of commerce.

According to the CCHP website, the plan is specifically designed for businesses and practices with two to 50 employees or larger.

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Chamber members can access health care coverage