Legislative Update from Washington
Words: Dan KesterOn the legislative front, our readers will be pleased to learn that the U.S. House of
Representatives recently passed H.R. 660, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of
2003. This legislation will make health insurance more affordable for small employers
through Association Health Plans (AHPs).
With health insurance premiums increasing at alarming rates, small businesses need new
options that will allow them to keep health insurance affordable and expand benefits
for working families. The Small Business Health Fairness Act will accomplish this goal
by allowing AHPs to utilize the same tools that corporate and labor union health plans
use to keep coverage affordable. Through AHPs, small businesses will have greater
bargaining power and administrative efficiencies, the option of self-funding, and
greater flexibility to design benefit options that meet the needs of smaller
companies.
An identical measure is pending in the U.S. Senate. That bill, S. 545, is sponsored by
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), and Sen.
Kay Hutchison (R-TX). But in order to get the bill moving, it is essential that more
Senate members either co-sponsor the bill or commit to supporting it when it comes to
the floor for a final vote.
With the passage of such a bill, many MCAA members could save as much as 15 to 25
percent on their health insurance costs, while many others ? for the first time ? may
be able to offer health insurance to their employees; we trust you'd agree that
enactment of the Small Business Health Fairness Act should be a top priority.
If any of you would like to write your Senator to urge them to co-sponsor and support
S. 545, please get in touch with me at (703) 671-4468. We'd be happy to fax a sample
letter to you. Your interest in this matter will be greatly appreciated by the 42
million uninsured U.S. citizens.