WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2025) – Joshua Phelps, Virginia Small Business Owner and member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), testified before the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means Health Subcommittee at a hearing titled, “Harnessing the Power of Digital Health Data.” Phelps spoke about his experience implementing employer-sponsored wellness programs in his company. 

Read Phelps’ full testimony here. Watch his opening statement here. 

“Employer-sponsored insurance remains the largest source of health coverage in the U.S., covering about 160 million Americans. And this is why most businesses, regardless of size, need to find a way to offer some sort of health benefits to compete for talent in their marketplace,” said Phelps. 

“But here’s the disconnect: Health coverage is not the same as health care, and neither is it the same as health. The people we employ, with whom we likely spend more time each week than our own families, deserve to be healthy and enjoy life fully. Employers can and should be playing a larger role in promoting healthy teams.” 

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“We’re not looking for mandates—we’d like some new tools… Ultimately, empowering employers and employees to focus on health and not just health coverage, is what really is going to make a difference in our national health picture.” 

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.