Helping Small Businesses Provide Health Coverage

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz made history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida state legislature at the age of only 26. She has dedicated over fourteen years to working on behalf of the people of Southern Florida. From Florida's 20th Congressional District, she made a name for herself as a fighter for South Florida families by authorizing the passing of numerous family care bills such as the “Drive Thru Baby Bill” and the “Drive Thru Mastectomy Bill”.

Her dedication to the people of Florida is well recognized by her colleagues in the Florida Legislature where she has held several influential leadership positions. She is well-known as someone who works hard on behalf of children, education, health care, Social Security, Medicare and the security of every American.

Reforming our health care system is not only the right thing to do, it makes economic sense. Small businesses account for half of our gross domestic product, more than half our jobs, and three-fourths of new jobs created each year. Yet, year after year, small businesses are threatened by skyrocketing health care costs that are uneven, unfair and unbearable.

Since 2000, small businesses have seen their health care costs grow an unbelievable 129 percent. Workers in small businesses pay an average of 18 percent more for premiums than larger firms and administrative costs eat up two and a half times more of those premiums. Due to these unreasonable costs, more than half of our nation’s uninsured are small business owners, their employees and their families. This is not the way to treat America’s innovators, entrepreneurs and working families.

Under the Affordable Health Care for America Act, small businesses that offer their employees health insurance coverage will get a tax credit for two years to help them transition to, or continue, providing health benefits to their employees—paying up to 50% of their costs. This legislation will also allow owners and their employees to choose from a menu of plans in a one-stop comparison shopping marketplace that would provide better coverage at a lower cost, giving them the same bargaining power larger companies have. In my home district, this will allow 22,400 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage if they choose to, or help their workers access it, and provide tax credits to reduce the cost for up to 22,300 small businesses.

As a result of this legislation, small businesses will no longer have to choose between laying off more employees, reducing benefits or eliminating family coverage. This legislation cuts long-term health care costs and brings down the deficit to help grow our economy and put it back on sound footing. This is not a Democrat issue nor a Republican issue – but an American issue - because health care reform is critical to the success of small businesses across our country, and job growth and economic recovery in America.

Please note: the Alliance does not support or oppose the aforementioned legislation. We believe that it is important for our members to be informed about critical legislation currently being developed by Members of Congress — legislation that could impact you, your business, and your family. We realize that you may agree or disagree with the opinions and ideas presented by legislators. However, it is important that you express your opinions so your voice can be heard. If you would like to speak up about this or other pieces of legislation, click here to contact us and vocalize your opinion.