April 15, 2008
The Honorable Mike Enzi
U.S. Senator
Ranking member, Committee on Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions
428 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Enzi:
The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business association, appreciates your commitment to small business--America's job creators. As ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, you have been a long-standing supporter of reform efforts that would help small business gain access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage.
The cost of healthcare has reached unmanageable proportions for many Americans, especially small business owners and their employees. Rising premiums and limited coverage options have made healthcare costs the No.1 issue for small business. Clearly you understand the current healthcare system isn't working for small businesses. Of the 47 million Americans without health insurance, more than 28 million are small business owners, employees and their dependents.
Today, small businesses generate half of America's GDP, create two-thirds of the net new jobs annually and represent 99.7 percent of all employers. Yet, the small business community does not receive the same healthcare coverage options or have the same purchasing power as large employers or corporations, as a result, small businesses pay on average 18 percent more for the same healthcare benefits as large businesses.
We are encouraged by your efforts and those of other Members of Congress to pursue reforms that build upon the existing private health insurance market by implementing pooling mechanisms, providing tax incentives, and creating a real focus on inefficiency in the individual and small group market.
We strongly agree with your recent comments stating “….We cannot continue to allow partisan politicking to stand in the way of real reform. We must begin a national debate to examine the whole healthcare system….” (March 28, 2008 The Hill Blog) NFIB applauds these sentiments and looks forward to working with you and other members of Congress from both political parties to pass specific healthcare reform for small business as well as comprehensive healthcare reform for all Americans.
Sincerely,
Dan Danner
Executive Vice President
Public Policy and Political
