The business community is fighting hard to ensure that Congress doesn't pass a government-run health plan that will threaten private health care. ABC believes that health care is best administered on free market principles and supports meaningful health reforms that make quality health care more affordable and accessible, but we cannot support the proposals currently being rushed through Congress that include:
- Employer Mandates: A “Pay or Play” provision that would result in premium increases and more expensive insurance for employers and employees;
- A Government-Run Public Insurance Option that would unfairly compete with private providers;
- An income “surtax” that would fall directly on the shoulders of small businesses; and
- An increase in our national debt.
The Senate passed the Health Care bill just before the holiday with a party line vote of 60-39. Both the House and Senate bills vastly differ and must be reconciled before being adopted and going to the President to sign. The House returns on January 12th and the Senate on the 19th. It is expected that the reconciliation process will last well into February.
Check out what's in the news on health care overhaul!
Wall Street Journal: ""
Politico December 15th: "Obama: 'Last Chance for Health Reform'"
Wall Street Journal December 10th: "White House Pins Hope on Senate's Deal"
Washington Post December 9th: "Senate Rejects Nelson Amendment on Abortion"
CNN December December 8th: "Abortion Again Roils Health Care Debate"
New York Times December 7th: "Senate Clears Way for Home Health Care Cuts"