From the Office of Senator Kerry

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following statement on the release of the National Association of the Self Employed's (NASE) findings regarding small business and health insurance:

"This NASE study is extremely informative -- it paints very clearly the reality of the health insurance crisis facing American small businesses and self-employed workers. Rising health insurance costs are a significant problem for small businesses which struggle with barriers and obstacles different from those facing large employers. The research from NASE further builds the case for real health insurance reform, including assistance to America's small business and self-employed individuals. In the weeks and months ahead, we need to refocus public attention on efforts which reduce the cost of health insurance for small businesses and explore needed reforms in our health insurance market."