01/22/2007
President George Bush is expected to focus on a topic of great interest to NFIB members in his State of the Union speech tomorrow: health care.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Bush is contemplating a change in the tax code that would make it easier for individuals to purchase insurance for themselves, serving as an incentive for people to be less reliant on employer-based plans. If passed, these tax credits could ease the burden of small-business owners who aren't able to offer health insurance as well as the employees who could not previously afford to purchase their own.
Bush's address is also expected to touch on his continued support for health savings accounts, according to The New York Times. HSAs were created in 2003 as a tool to help businesses deal with the escalating cost of health insurance, and in December, President Bush signed into law several enhancements that will boost their appeal and flexibility.
NFIB has long championed tax credits to assist small-business owners and their employees in affording health insurance. NFIB has also worked hand-in-hand with Congress and the White House as HSAs were developed and continue to be enhanced.
The New York Times also noted that the president's speech will steer clear of the "traditional laundry list of initiatives" and instead find a more narrow focus, sticking to issues more likely to garner bipartisan support, such as energy and health care.
The State of the Union address will be given Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. EST.
