- TALENT INTRODUCES
HEALTHCARE
- BILL FOR THE
UNINSURED
- Small Business ACE Act Will
Help Small Businesses
- Offer Accessible and
Affordable Health Care For
- Working Families
WASHINGTON, DC – Today,
House Small Business Committee Chairman Jim Talent (R-MO) and Rep.
Cal Dooley (D-CA) introduced legislation to help the millions of
hard-working Americans who currently are uninsured find quality and
affordable health care. The bill, called the Small Business Access
and Choice for Entrepreneurs Act (ACE Act), will allow more
uninsured Americans to find quality health care coverage by
strengthening and expanding association health plans (AHP) and
offering immediate 100% health insurance deductibility for the
self-employed.
"There are 43 million Americans currently
uninsured," said Talent. "When I talk to small businesses owners
from my home state of Missouri, I hear the same thing. They want to
provide coverage, but they can’t afford it. Quality healthcare is
just too costly when you are a small shop." Talent
continued.
"The Small Business ACE Act will change
that," said Talent. "It will allow small business associations to
use the economies of scale the way big businesses can, pooling their
membership to offer an AHP. For example, it will allow a family
farmer in Malden, Missouri, to join with other Missouri Farm Bureau
members to access quality, affordable health care plans. The ACE Act
will also allow the self-employed to immediately deduct 100 percent
of their health insurance, finally offering the self-employed the
same benefits big companies currently enjoy."
"The Small Business ACE Act will end the
healthcare discrimination against small business owners. It will
help the more than millions of hard-working Americans who currently
do not have access to quality and affordable healthcare; and it will
make a difference, added Talent.
The Small Business ACE Act proves the
best patient protection of all is access to affordable health care
options. Workers in small businesses and the self-employed will be
able to join together to obtain the same economies of scale,
purchasing clout, and administrative efficiencies
from which employees of large employers
currently benefit. Association Health Plans will have the freedom to
design more affordable benefit options and offer workers access to
more health coverage choices. New coverage options for both the
self-employed and workers in small businesses will promote greater
competition and choice in health insurance markets. Tough new
solvency standards and other consumer protection provisions will
protect patients’ rights and ensure that benefits are paid. By
giving workers new sources of coverage through trade and
professional associations, it will be easier for many Americans to
continue their health coverage when changing jobs.
The bill will also address the needs of
the self-employed. Currently, the self-employed can deduct only 60%
of the high costs of healthcare while large businesses can deduct
100%. In 1998, Congress passed legislation to allow full
deductibility in the year 2003. However, five years is an eternity
to the self-employed families with no health care coverage today.
Small Business ACE Act will offer the self-employed and their
employees immediate relief by making health care more affordable;
expanding access to health care; simplifying taxes; ending Congress’
unfair track record on the health care costs of small business; and
delivering on a top, small business tax priority.
"Small business is the engine of our
economy and the heart of our communities," said Chairman Talent.
"The Small Business ACE Act is designed to give the engine of our
economy a chance at quality, affordable health care. It’s not just a
good idea, it’s the right thing to do," concluded Talent.
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