03/07/2006
CONTACT: Michael J. Donohue, (202) 554-9000
News Advisory
First-Ever Senate Vote on Vital Legislation for Affordable Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest small-business group, today urged the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee to quickly pass legislation creating Small-Business Health Plans at its full committee markup tomorrow. The bill, S. 1955, “The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006,” is authored by Sen. Mike Enzi (Wyo.), the Committee chair, and is cosponsored by Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Conrad Burns (Mont.).
“Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate HELP Committee can take a significant step toward ending the health-insurance cost crisis facing the largest portion of America’s uninsured population—the 27 million men, women and children covered by the small-business community,” said Dan Danner, executive vice president of the National Federation of Independent Business. “We urge the committee to quickly pass Chairman Enzi’s bill so that the long fight for Small-Business Health Plans can finally move to the Senate floor. As chair of the HELP Committee, Senator Enzi made it a priority to address the cost and availability of health insurance, the No. 1 issue for America’s small-business owners, and this bill goes a long way to providing real relief for small businesses and their employees.”
WHAT: U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee markup of S. 1955, “The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006”
WHEN: Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 10 a.m.
WHERE: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Small-Business Health Plans will bring more choices for owners facing double-digit rate increases and struggling to afford health insurance for their employees. SBHPs will level the health-insurance playing field and give participating small businesses the same buying power as Fortune 500 companies and unions, by allowing them to band together across state lines through trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health benefits. By joining together, small employers will enjoy savings from greater bargaining power, economies of scale and administrative efficiencies.
Amanda Austin, NFIB manager of legislative affairs, is available to talk with reporters about the Enzi bill, SBHPs and the SBHP Coalition. Please call Mike Donohue at (202) 314-2044.
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The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. More information is available on-line at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
