05/ 26/ 2006
With overwhelming support from members, NFIB took its top issue to the Senate last month when Small-Business Health Plans garnered a 55-vote majority. Although within striking distance of the 60 votes needed to proceed under Senate rules, SBHP opponents prevented cloture on the motion to end debate. This means there never was a final up or down vote on the health-insurance reform bill.
Despite the outcome, it was the first time SBHPs made it out of a Senate committee and onto the Senate floor. And "the fight isn't over," says NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer.
The vote on S. 1955, "The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006," sponsored by Sens. Mike Enzi (Wyo.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.), followed a significant outreach campaign by NFIB to mobilize supporters.
NFIB members and other small-business owners responded to NFIB ads and alerts, generating 40,000 letters, e-mails and phone calls to senators. The week before the vote, NFIB delivered petitions with 450,000 signatures to each Senate office.
Next Steps on Small-Business Health Plans
NFIB's message on SBHPs was everywhere in the weeks before the vote. While there is no guarantee the Senate will take up SBHPs again before it adjourns at the end of the year, NFIB will try to break the logjam by continuing to meet with senators who are open to the bill's proposals. If your senators didn't support the SBHP bill, please call their offices and tell them how important this issue is to your small business. If your senators voted in favor of sending the bill to the floor for a vote, please thank them for their support of small business. Want to find out how your senators voted? Go to www.NFIB.com/object/SBHPvote.html for a complete list.
Be Connected
NFIB is making plans to redouble its efforts to pass Small-Business Health Plans. Find out how you can get involved at www.NFIB.com/getinvolved.
