04/26/2006
NFIB president, members and U.S. senators call for action at Capitol Hill press conference
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NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer (far left), along with (l-r from Stottlemyer) NFIB members Joe Wilson and Emmy Lewis, Sen. Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.), and NFIB members Phil Rosenthal and T.R. Cook, today urged the Senate to pass Small-Business Health Plans. |
At a press conference held in Washington, D.C., today, NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer, along with Sens. Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.), Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Conrad Burns (Mont.), and several NFIB members, called on the Senate to pass the Small-Business Health Plan legislation (S. 1955) scheduled to come to the floor next week.
"Access to affordable health care is the No. 1 issue for small-business owners," Stottlemyer said. "Every day, we hear from small-business owners struggling to provide health insurance for their employees, and they need help now. The Senate has a critical opportunity to make a real difference for small businesses, their employees and their families."
Stottlemyer also presented the senators with 450,000 petitions from NFIB members and small-business owners calling on Congress to enact Small-Business Health Plans. The SBHP bill before the Senate will level the playing field for small business and give it the same health-insurance buying power as Fortune 500 companies and unions by allowing small business to join together across state lines through trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health benefits.
"The nation’s No. 1 job creators have waited long enough to be treated fairly," Stottlemyer said. "Small-business owners compete with large corporations for employees, yet they are still unable to offer competitive benefit packages. It’s time for the Senate to put its trust in small business, rather than in the mercy of insurance companies, and allow them to negotiate good benefits for their employees and family members."
NFIB recently launched a grassroots campaign aimed at U.S. senators to spread the word about the importance of passing S. 1955. The campaign is utilizing radio spots and Web and print ads in Washington, D.C., and 10 key states, and is calling on members to contact their senators as well.
The House of Representatives isn't letting up the pressure on the U.S. Senate, either. The House has already passed Small-Business Health Plan legislation eight times in recent years, and tomorrow, the House Small Business Committee holds a health-care hearing that is slated to include testimony on SBHPs.
