AHP Coalition to U.S. Senate HELP Committee: Small Business Insurance Reform - The Time Has Come
Posted on: Thursday, 30 June 2005, 18:01 CDT
WASHINGTON, June 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The AHP Coalition issued the following statement today commenting on the principles and concepts put forth by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meant to address the Small-Business Health-Care Cost Crisis.
"Today, the U.S. Senate HELP Committee took the first of many steps toward ending the health-insurance cost crisis facing America's largest portion of the uninsured population - the 27 million men, women and children covered by the small-business community. It is important to recognize the efforts of the committee to address this ever-growing problem, and we stand ready to help with the further work that remains to be done.
"We appreciate that Chairman Enzi has expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that associations have a meaningful role in any final plan put forward dealing with small-business health insurance reform. He is correct that the largest portion of America's uninsured population - small business - deserves a seat at the table.
"Small business isn't looking for a hand out. But they are tired of being forced to hand over their hard-earned dollars to pay for insurance in a marketplace where prices are high, and competition and choice are practically non-existent. They need a helping hand to ensure they get a fair shake when shopping for health care in the small-group market.
"Much of what small business wants and needs is rooted in the Small-Business Health Fairness Act (S. 406). The legislation, which has a history of strong bipartisan support, will create more competition and choice in health insurance markets. Both are critical to making health insurance affordable, and would finally put small business on fair and equal footing with big business, big labor and big government.
"As the Committee continues reviewing, developing and debating the best way to address the health-care cost crisis, we are hopeful the HELP Committee will continue to listen closely to the small- business community and consider broadening its principles to further address the needs of America's job creators. Their input and expertise is essential to crafting a plan that will work for them, their employees and their families."
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The Coalition Supporting Access & Choice Through Association Health Plans (AHP Coalition) is comprised of more than 180 associations representing over 12 million employers and 80 million workers. More information is available online at http:// www.AHPsNOW.com.
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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