Straight Talk With Sam (Small Business Health Plans)

Staight Talk With Sam

Small Business Health Plans

Small businesses are the bedrock of our economy, especially in North Missouri. As their employees know, there is a health care gap in America. Small business employees do not have the access to quality health care that big business employees have. It is clear to me that our economic strength can be found on Main Street in our cities and towns.

According to the Office of Management and Budget, 85 percent of the 41 million uninsured Americans are members of working families. Small business employees are 50 percent less likely than employees of larger companies to receive health insurance through their employers. In addition, the cost of providing coverage is often 20 to 30 percent higher for small businesses. This is simply not fair.

Access to affordable health care should not depend on the number of coworkers you have. Small business employees deserve access to quality and affordable care.

That is why in Congress I am promoting Small Business Health Plans as a part of the solution to this problem. It would allow companies to band together through an existing trade association and purchase health insurance as a large group. By negotiating as a large company, rather than many small ones, healthcare costs can be dramatically reduced.

Small Business Health Plans are a large part the solution to the health care gap in America. Small business owners face enough hurdles today just trying to meet their payroll. I think Congress needs to work to make it a little easier. I believe our economy is healthy when Main Street is healthy.

http://www.house.gov/graves/straighttalk/2006issue33.htm