02/22/2005
To: NFIB/Kentucky Members
From: Tom Underwood, NFIB/Kentucky State Director
Re: House Bill 278 - Small Business Health Insurance Relief Act of 2005
The Small Business Health Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (House Bill 278), designed to bring immediate relief to the rising cost of health insurance, is in serious jeopardy of being defeated in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
If your state senator is a member of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, please respond to this urgent alert IMMEDIATELY by calling your senator to request passage of HB 278 with no amendments.
Background: The Small Business Health Insurance Relief Act of 2005 has been drafted to dramatically benefit small business. It will bring down the cost for doctors to provide health insurance, limit unnecessary paperwork, level high-risk pool premiums and remove state mandates.
Key Message: Skyrocketing premiums are one of the largest growing costs for small business. Small businesses have seen an average increase of 65 percent over the past five years! Highlight how the rising cost of health insurance has impacted your ability to grow and create new jobs. Tell them you are an NFIB member, your name and business, number of employees, and state your opinion briefly in your own words. Request that HB 278 be passed out of committee promptly, with no amendments.
Please call your state senator (800) 372-7181 or (502) 564-8100 and tell them that small business needs immediate relief. Below is a list of all committee members:
Sen. Tom Buford, Chair (R), Nicholasville; Sen Julie Denton, (R) Louisville; Sen. Ernie Harris, (R) Crestwood; Sen. Bob Leeper, (I) Paducah; Sen. Gerald Neal, (D) Louisville; Sen. Dick Roeding, (R) Lakeside Park; Sen. Tom Jensen, (R) London; Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, (R) Hazard; Sen. Dorsey Ridley, (D) Henderson; Sen. Dan Seum, (R) Louisville; Sen. Tim Shaughnessy, (D) Louisville
