WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today voted for a measure in the U.S. House of Representatives to combat the high and rising costs of health care along with the pervasive problem of American uninsured.  The bill, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, would enable small businesses to band together across state lines to provide health care benefits to employees.  The measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 263 to 165 with Emerson's support.

 

“There is an epidemic of the uninsured in America today.  An estimated 45 million Americans have no health insurance, and most of them come from working families.  The cost of insurance has risen so much so quickly that employers, especially small businesses, are unable to cover their own employees,” Emerson said. 

 

The proposed plans, known as Association Health Plans (AHP’s), would allow small businesses to avoid costly state mandates, reduce their overhead costs, and use greater bargaining power with health care providers.  Small restaurants, for example, could purchase health insurance through a national sponsor organization with a common purpose.

 

“Small businesses ought to get the same benefits as large corporations and unions when it comes to insuring Americans.  This is a bill to help small businesses, yes, but it is also a measure aimed at reducing the number of Americans who have no health insurance whatsoever.  Insuring them creates a benefit to our entire American society,” Emerson said.

 

The National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have all urged adoption of the AHP idea.  The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, where Senator Jim Talent has championed the legislation.