10/25/2007
NFIB commends Sens. Baucus, Grassley for conducting hearing addressing top issue for small business
CONTACT: Stephanie Cathcart, 202-314-2056
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 25, 2007 — The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing today examining the issue of small business and health insurance. The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small-business association, represents the largest segment of the uninsured and, once again, expressed urgency for meaningful reform. Highlights from testimony submitted by Dan Danner, executive vice president of NFIB, include:
"…I want to thank Chairman Max Baucus and ranking member Chuck Grassley for holding a hearing focused on the unique challenges facing small businesses' ability to access affordable health insurance… the top issue for our members since 1986.
"…Since small business represents the largest sector of the uninsured it means they have the most to gain with any significant reform whether it begins at the state or federal level. At either level, the sense of urgency is great and the need for reform is now.
"…As an organization representing employers and their employees, NFIB in the past has fought for years to allow small businesses to pool across state lines to enable them to find more affordable coverage. While we still support that goal, we want to work on legislation that help small business afford coverage and can be enacted into law. ...We can no longer say that health care reform is our No. 1 priority and be content with the legislative stalemate over small business health-care reform.
"…As many of you know on the Committee, we are committed to working with all of you to provide strong and positive reform for small business. …As you consider the challenges small businesses face in purchasing health insurance, we hope you will focus on these key areas: pooling, tax-based incentives and cost containment measures."
