NFIB Statement: Response to CMS Report on Financial Effects of H.R. 3200

CONTACT:   Stephanie Cathcart, 202-314-2056 or stephanie.cathcart@nfib.org

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 22, 2009 — Susan Eckerly, senior vice president of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, issued the following statement in response to the CMS analysis of the estimated financial effects of “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” (H.R. 3200):

“The CMS analysis of H.R. 3200 reinforces the strong concerns we have had with the bill since its introduction. It confirms our biggest fears: a greater growth in government-run programs and reform that does not address the cost problems that are crushing small businesses.

“H.R. 3200 has never been about moderating healthcare and insurance cost increases so that small businesses (and others) could expand their coverage to additional employees.  With just a net 3 million new lives covered by employers and with $124 billion in employer penalties (and $59 billion in individual penalties) channeled toward government-run programs, it’s clear this bill is little more than a huge indirect tax increase for small employers.

“Addressing health care is critical for small business.  But ‘reform’ can make things worse rather than better and H.R. 3200 is an example. If we don’t get health reform right, all of the analyses of the past week will be proven true: Insurers will pass along all the costs (and even more of them), the government will increase taxes – and small businesses will be left footing the bill.”

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