09/11/2007
CONTACT: Stephanie Cathcart, 202-314-2056
New numbers: Average premium increases continue to outpace wages and inflation
Washington, D.C.--Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, issued the following statement responding to Kaiser Family Foundation's newest Employer Health Benefits Survey:
"Every year health insurance becomes less affordable for our nation's small-business owners. Every year we see average premium increases outpacing wages and inflation. And every year, we urge Congress to examine ways that we might be able to stop this unsustainable trend. Never has it been clearer that the time to enact comprehensive health-insurance reform is now.
"With the presidential election looming, this important issue runs the risk of becoming another political chess piece to maneuver all over the board, but small businesses can't wait for the election end game. Lawmakers now have a real opportunity to act. This issue cannot be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach – what works for big business may not work for small and independent businesses. We have seen small steps forward with bipartisan support and want to encourage those members of congress to continue their commitment to identify solutions for affordable insurance options.
"Small businesses, such as NFIB's members, are credited with keeping this economy strong and growing. We are the only sector that continues to create and sustain jobs. So today's Kaiser survey is another reason to sound the alarm to our leaders in Congress. We will continue to work with all leaders, no matter their party, who will support small business and work to enact comprehensive health-insurance reform this year."
