Kagen Is Protecting Small Businesses In Health Care Reform Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 13, 2009

Contact:  Jake Rubin
(202) 225-5665

(APPLETON, WI)  Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. says a report released today is further evidence that reforming the nation’s health care system is an essential part of improving our economy.  A report released by the Small Business Majority said the number one concern for small businesses in Wisconsin is impossible costs for health insurance, followed by having insurance that covers everybody.

“I am working hard to secure access to affordable care for all of us and to help small businesses create the jobs we need to work our way back into prosperity,” said Kagen.  “When we succeed in lowering costs for health care, we will expand coverage and reduce the burden on small businesses throughout the nation.”

According to the report, 72% of small business owners in Wisconsin say health care reform is important for getting the economy back on track.  85% of respondents agree that people should be able to buy health insurance without regard to any past health problems, and 75% say more entrepreneurs would start businesses if they didn’t face financial obstacles to coverage.

“Affordability is the barrier to providing health insurance for too many Wisconsin small business owners. As a former small business owner, Congressman Kagen understands this extremely well,” said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. “His efforts to make small business owners’ voices heard have been impressive, and we’re proud to be working with him on healthcare reform.”

A key finding is that small business owners support eliminating preexisting health status in the provision of insurance – an idea Congressman Kagen has been championing for several years.

Small Business Majority is a national nonprofit advocacy organization focused on solving the single biggest problem facing America’s 27 million small businesses: the skyrocketing cost of providing healthcare to employees.  Visit them online at  www.smallbusinessmajority.org.

In June, Kagen organized a meeting of members of Congress who are former business owners where Small Business Majority made a presentation.  Congressman Kagen has been working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make certain that the needs of small businesses are addressed in the drafts of health care reform legislation.