INTRODUCTION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE EXPANSION ACT --
HON. DENNIS MOORE (Extensions of Remarks - September 14, 2000)
[Page: E1495]
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HON. DENNIS MOORE
OF KANSAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, September 14, 2000
- Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that will help
uninsured Americans get the health insurance coverage they want and need. It
has been endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition, whose members support this
fiscally responsible, targeted solution that will help uninsured Americans and
the small businesses where many of them work.
- Like a majority of my colleagues, I support the Patients' Bill of Rights
that will give patients and their doctors power over health care decisions. I
have been frustrated by the slow work of the conference committee in coming to
a compromise on this legislation.
- I want a Patients' Bill of Rights to pass before Congress adjourns for the
year. I want to go home and tell my constituents that I have done what I
promised to do. I hope that the bill I am introducing today will provide a
middle ground for the conference negotiations. A majority of this House
supports the Patients' Bill of Rights, and both Republicans and Democrats can
agree that the problem of the uninsured is one of our most pressing public
health concerns.
- The bill would provide immediate 100 percent deductibility of health
insurance premiums for self-employed individuals. My bill also would create a
temporary tax credit for small employers who have not offered health insurance
in the past two years. The credit will reimburse 20 percent of health
insurance costs, up to $400 per year for individuals and $1000 for family
coverage. Businesses can get an additional 10 percent tax credit (up to 30
percent total) if they join in a Health Benefit Purchasing Coalition, which
provides small employers a way to pool resources, negotiate collectively with
insurers, and administer health plans for small employer groups. In order to
foster innovation on the state level, the bill creates a state grant program
for initiatives that expand health insurance to the uninsured through market
innovations.
- I have attached the letter sent to Senator NICKLES from the Blue
Dog Coalition asking him to consider our bill as a reasonable compromise to
the $48 billion access bill that passed the House with no offsets. This bill
is targeted, fiscally responsible, and could become law.
- Small employers are struggling to provide health insurance coverage for
their employees, and Congress should do something to help them. It's the right
thing to do for business, and it's the night thing to do for millions of
Americans who want and need health insurance.
END