House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives

Labor Issues

Health Care

The rising cost of health insurance premiums is number one problem facing small business in this country, and a major factor in the number of uninsured or underinsured Americans.  Estimates indicate 60 percent or more of the working uninsured work for or depend on small employers who lack the ability to provide health benefits for their workers.  Working families should not have to face the struggles of everyday life without health insurance.  All Americans should have affordable health insurance coverage options, and Republicans are committed to creating affordable options to help working families get the health care they need and deserve.

Republicans are dedicated to reaching innovative solutions for both uninsured Americans and small businesses that often are harmed and even put out of business by the soaring costs of health care and complex bureaucratic systems.  As in years past, House Republicans will continue to advocate for and support legislation that improves access to health care for uninsured working families by creating small business health plans (SBHPs), which allow small businesses to join together to purchase health insurance at a lower cost.

Press Releases

McKeon Statement on White House Closed-Door Health Care Meeting (May 13, 2009)

McKeon Statement on White House Health Care Summit (March 5, 2009)

McKeon Statement on ADA Amendments Act (June 18, 2008)

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Member Views

McKeon op-ed in The Hill: Cure should not be worse than disease (February 11, 2009)

Fact Sheets

Democrats Reject Bipartisan Mental Health Parity
Reforms in Favor of Costly New Mandates (March 5, 2008)

The Working Families Wage & Access to Health Care Act (January 10, 2007)

House Republicans Will Fight to Ensure that Any Minimum Wage Package Protects Small Businesses and their Workers (January 10, 2007)

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Dear Colleagues

Two Reasons Why NOT to use DSM for Coverage Purposes (March 5, 2008)

Employers Favor a Responsible Mental Health Parity Bill (March 5, 2008)

On the Minimum Wage, There IS a Better Way (January 9, 2007)

Floor Statements

Boustany Statement on Genetic Information Non Discrimination Act (H.R. 493) (April 25, 2007)

McKeon Statement on Fair Minimum Wage Act (H.R. 2) (January 10, 2007)

Committee Statements

Kline Statement: “Ways to Reduce the Cost of Health Insurance for Employers, Employees and their Families” (April 23, 2009)

Kline Statement: HELP Subcommittee Hearing on “Strengthening Employer-Based Health Care” (March 10, 2009)

Kline Statement: Hearing on “Safeguarding Retiree Health Benefits” (September 25, 2008)

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