Small Business

A recent small business concern has been a proposal regarding Association Health Plans (AHP). Legislation to set up AHPs, S. 406, was introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) on February 16, 2005. This measure would streamline regulations for small businesses that pool their money to buy health insurance through groups called AHPs, and it would exempt the groups from state mandates. S. 406 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

As a former member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I consider the success of small businesses to be one of my top priorities. As you may know, of the millions of Americans without health insurance, 60 percent work for small employers who cannot afford to offer them coverage. Clearly, something must be done to address this unacceptable situation. At the same time, I recognize the importance of preserving decision-making authority for states.

On April 20, 2005, the Small Business Committee held a hearing on ways for small businesses to provide health care coverage to the uninsured and lower the costs of providing heath care coverage. Various solutions were discussed at the hearing, including AHPs. In addition, hearings were recently held on the subject in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Please rest assured I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to consider all potential solutions to the small business health care crisis.