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H.R.
660 would improve access to quality health care for uninsured families. Specifically,
it would create association health plans (AHPs) to allow small businesses to join
together through bona-fide trade associations to purchase health insurance for
their workers at a lower cost.
- H.R.
660 is planned to be voted in the House Floor in the next few weeks. So, please
contact your U.S. Representative and House Leadership to urge them to support
passage of H.R. 660.
According
to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 2002, the number of
Americans without health insurance increased to more than 41 million. Many of
the newly uninsured are small business employees whose employers cannot afford
to offer health plans to their workers. With health insurance costs expected to
rise significantly again in 2003, small business owners report this issue as their
#1 concern. Currently, Americans who work for firms with fewer than 25 employees
are half as likely to have health insurance as those who work for companies with
1000 or more workers. H.R.
660, so-called Association Health Plans (AHPs) bill, aims to provide small businesses,
including associations, with a better opportunity to purchase health insurance
to their employees through association health plans (AHPs). The bill would increase
the bargaining power of small businesses and lower their administrative costs
by giving them freedom from costly state-mandated benefit packages. According
to the Wall Street Journal, many trade associations currently offer members insurance,
but usually they do so through policies that are sold to those within a single
state. However, the AHPs bill would permit small businesses to band together across
state lines and purchase policies through their association. It specifically exempts
such policies from state regulation; instead, they would operate under less onerous
rules of the federal Labor Department. Because most states have a multitude of
rules regarding coverage minimums, premiums and reimbursements, AHPs insurance
would be less expensive than the coverage currently available to small businesses.
A Congressional Budget Office study concluded that AHPs bill could reduce the
cost of health insurance to small businesses from between 9 and 25 percent and
result in 330,000 people without health care coverage becoming insured. The
National Grange's position on this bill is spoken by the following policies we
have: -
The National Grange supports access to affordable health care and health insurance
for every American regardless of age, race, income, health condition, or location
with freedom of choice of medical provider and facility. In addition, health care
cost containment strategies should maintain the highest quality of care without
compromising effectiveness and efficiency.
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The National Grange supports tax incentives for businesses to provide health insurance
coverage for their employees and 100% tax deductibility of health insurance premiums
for the self-employed and individuals acquiring private health insurance.
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The National Grange supports allowing small businesses, insurers, and health care
providers to join forces and create purchasing tools to develop and administer
health plans for workers.
Fact
Sheets from the House Education & the Workforce Committee Action
Plan --- Please contact your U.S. Representative and House Leadership to urge
them to pass H.R. 660. House
Representative | House
Leadership If
you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst
Chil-Sook Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091
or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank you for your grassroots participation
in the National Grange Legislative program. Want
to Subscribe To  ? For
all subscription and circulation inquiries, Contact: Jonathan
Hill. |
