“Today’s endorsement of AHPs by the Senate Health Care Task
Force is another step in the right direction toward more accessible and
affordable health insurance for America’s small-business employers and
workers. Senators Frist, Gregg, Snowe, Talent, Sessions and the other members
of the Task Force deserve a great deal of credit for their leadership on this
issue.
“President George W. Bush and this Administration care deeply
about expanding access to affordable health care. One of the biggest problems
is that small businesses pay 20-30 percent more than do large employers for
similar benefits. That’s why these small-business health plans are so
critical.
“AHPs will help provide small businesses with a secure and
affordable way to close the health coverage gap and provide quality health care
for their employees.
“Also, by allowing small businesses to pool their buying power
and spread their risk, AHPs will put small businesses on an equal footing with
large employers and unions. The current situation is unfair to small employers
and their workers, and that’s why it is so important for Congress to act
on AHP legislation as soon as possible.”
