Members of ABC’s National Legislative and Government Affairs Coordinating Committees, along with representatives of national construction trade associations, Dec.10 participated in a conference call hosted by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R – Ky.) to discuss the latest developments in the health care debate on Capitol Hill.
In his remarks, Sen. McConnell thanked the group for their “hard work and diligence” in making their voices heard on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). ABC is strongly opposed to the public option and employer mandates in the bill, both of which would raise taxes on families and small businesses. ABC believes that health care is best when administered on free market principles and must provide greater choice, affordability and allow private insurers to compete for business.
ABC Vice President of Government Affairs Geoff Burr Dec.14 signed onto a
letter from the Start Over Coalition, a group of pro-business trade associations, that was sent to all 100 U.S. Senators. The letter stated that coalition members have been “advocating reform of the U.S. health care system for many years, as the rising cost of healthcare has been one of the most critical challenges facing our members across all industry sectors.”
The letter went on to add that despite changes being offered during the amendment process, the group remains opposed to H.R. 3590 because “the costs, taxes, mandates and burdens contained in the Reid bill far outweigh any potential benefit from this legislation.”
Meanwhile, ABC Dec. 10 signed onto another
letter sent to U.S. Senators from the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Health Care, a group of nearly 50 national trade associations, that expressed a united front by stating that “our small business and self-employed entrepreneurs have been clear about what they need and want: lower costs, more choices and greater competition for private insurance.”
The letter went on to criticize a number of issues in H.R. 3590 including a health insurance tax on small business, a lack of affordable health insurance flexibility and choices, absence of liability reform and an increase in payroll tax.
For more information, contact Kristen Swearingen at ABC,
swearingen@abc.org.