04/23/2007
CONTACT: Michael E. Diegel or Stephanie Cathcart, (202) 554-9000
Nation’s Job Creators Continue to Struggle with Rising Health Care Costs
Small-Business Week
April 22-28, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C.—In recognition of National Small-Business Week, Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, released the following statement:
“As the nation observes Small-Business Week, it’s the appropriate time to recognize and celebrate the essential role of entrepreneurs and small businesses to the nation’s economy.
“Coincidentally, this week also marks Cover the Uninsured Week, which highlights a myriad of solutions for health-care reform. We’re reminded weekly, if not daily, that nearly 45 million Americans are uninsured. This hits especially close to home for NFIB’s members, since approximately 27 million of those uninsured are the self-employed and small-business owners, their employees and their families.
“Small-business owners continue to struggle with annual, double-digit insurance premium increases that make providing and maintaining coverage more and more difficult. Insurance premiums for small groups or single coverage have increased by more than 82 percent since 2000, a jaw-dropping statistic. This is completely unsustainable over the long-term.
“Lawmakers now have a real opportunity to act and fill in the gaps and inequities of the current health-care system. A comprehensive approach to helping small businesses access affordable, quality health insurance must be pursued. That should include health insurance purchasing pools for small businesses, tax-based incentives to assist with the purchase of health insurance and implementing cost-containment measures.
“Today, we ask both houses of Congress to move forward on this critically important issue. Congress needs to make health care work for us, so we can keep working for America. Working together, we can help make sure Cover the Uninsured Week and Small Business Week marks the start of real progress toward insuring all Americans.”
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NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.
NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
