National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB) President and CEO Jack Faris presents the NFIB’s
“Guardian of Small Business” award to John at a
Capitol Hill ceremony in October 2004. |
|
Small Business
Health Insurance
John has long fought for affordable health care for small
businesses and individuals who lack health insurance or are underserved.
Small businesses should be allowed to join together to negotiate better
insurance rates across state lines. Additionally, individuals and
families deserve a full deduction for all health care costs.
This continuing commitment includes co-sponsorship of the “Making
Health Care More Affordable Act” – comprehensive legislation containing
basic reforms to expand health insurance coverage. It only makes sense
to combine the reasonable reforms into one bill to ensure greater
access to health insurance at a lower cost for New Hampshire citizens
and all Americans who don’t currently have coverage.
By providing individuals with health insurance tax credits, allowing
small businesses to buy plans, and encouraging high-tech efficiencies,
coverage can be expanded to those who need it without jeopardizing
the coverage of those who already have it. The bill contains the following
provisions:
Provides a Health Insurance Tax Credit of up to $2,500 for an
individual and $6,000 for a family of four to increase affordability
of health care for those who do not have employer-based health insurance.
Creates Association Health Plans that will allow small business
to band together to increase buying power in the market.
Allows individuals the option to purchase health care across
state lines, helping to create a national market for health insurance
and ensuring that consumers can find the coverage best suited to
their needs.
Builds on the success of Health Savings Accounts, which give
individuals the ability to control their own health care purchases.
Stops lawsuit abuse and frivolous lawsuits which drive up the
cost of health care and have limited access to critical specialty
physicians, particularly in rural areas.
Encourages the development of Health Information Technology and
the high-tech efficiencies that reduce costs and medical errors.
Women-Owned Small Businesses
John understands the major role that women entrepreneurs play in
beginning and growing businesses that provide sustainable jobs and
economic growth in New Hampshire and across the nation. To support
women in this mission, he has helped to secure Small Business Administration
(SBA) funding for New Hampshire’s Women’s Business Center (WBC),
which is headquartered in Portsmouth, and serves women entrepreneurs
in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The Center supports
women entrepreneurs through education, counseling, and mentoring
so they can learn and maintain skills that are critical to success
in today’s business environment.
Most recently, the WBC in Portsmouth received $50,000 in SBA funding
for the remainder of fiscal year 2008. Made possible under
the SBA’s three-year renewable funding program, the award was a
direct result of John’s 2007 legislation to extend the eligibility
of WBCs to apply for funds through the existing competitive grant
program. That 2007 bill provided WBCs up to $150,000 in matching
federal funds per fiscal year for operating expenses, and funded
existing WBCs through current program money, creating no additional
cost to taxpayers.
Sharon Drake, Executive Director of the WBC in Portsmouth, summed
up the reaction and impact of the funding by saying, “The WBC is
thrilled and proud to have received an award from the SBA Office
of Women’s Business Ownership. Senator Sununu, along with his two
colleagues from Maine and Massachusetts, worked diligently to draft
this legislation and push it through. We would not have been successful
were it not for them. These funds will allow the WBC to continue
making an impact community by community, one woman-owned business
at a time. The months ahead will be exciting as the WBC can deepen
its impact by offering more one-on-one professional business counseling,
educational opportunities, and peer support. The Senator has helped
us meet our mission by listening to our members and volunteers and
acting on their considered advice."
Further information regarding small business can be found on
the web site of the United States Small Business Administration
at: www.sba.gov
|