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EBSA News Release: [06/17/2003]
Contact Name: Lisa
Kruska
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Deputy Secretary of Labor Joins Bipartisan Congressional
Delegation Urging Passage of Association Health Plans
“Improving Access to Affordable Quality Health
Care for Small Businesses”
WASHINGTON—Deputy Secretary of Labor D. Cameron Findlay
today joined a group of bipartisan members of the House of Representatives at a
press conference to encourage the House to pass legislation giving millions of
American small business owners and employees access to affordable, quality
health insurance through Association Health Plans (AHPs).
“The Administration is concerned that fully 85 percent of the 41
million uninsured Americans are in working families,” said Findlay.
“AHPs are aimed squarely at the gap in coverage among small businesses,
the bedrock of our economy and creator of two of every three new jobs. These
plans offer small businesses a reliable, cost-effective solution to ensure that
their workers and family members receive promised health benefits.”
The Small Business Health Fairness Act would create AHPs that
give small businesses greater bargaining power, economies of scale,
administrative efficiencies, and the benefits of a uniform regulatory
structure, thereby making health insurance more affordable. The legislation
also provides strong protections through federal certification standards and
oversight to protect workers against abusive health plans. These protections
would be administered by the U. S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits
Security Administration.
Congressional members participating in the press conference include
Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX), Congressman Ernie Fletcher (R-KY), Congressman
Cal Dooley (D-CA), and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). The House bill, H.
R. 660, was introduced by Representatives Fletcher and Dooley. Senator Olympia
Snowe (R-ME), chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Committee, has introduced the Senate bill, S. 545.
Findlay applauded the Congressional members for their quick action in
bringing the legislation to the full House for a vote. He urged Congress to act
swiftly to pass the legislation so more workers will have health coverage.
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