U.S. Chamber Urges Greater Focus on Uninsured Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce called for a sustained emphasis by industry leaders and lawmakers on market-based solutions to expand health care coverage to the 43 million Americans without insurance. The Chamber joined health care industry groups, hospitals and employee organizations in a satellite town meeting today and called on Congress to make funding to expand access to health care coverage a budget priority.

"Employers voluntarily provide health care benefits to more than 172 million workers, retirees and their families," said Kate Sullivan, the Chamber's director of health care policy. "While changing demographics and non-traditional work arrangements underscore the need for some reforms, these alternatives should build on the success of the employer-based system – not tear it apart."

The Chamber advocates strengthening the current system through tax incentives for individuals who buy their own insurance including refundable tax credits for those with low incomes and making coverage more affordable through pooled purchasing under ERISA for small businesses, individuals, and the self-employed.

The Chamber also proposes eliminating state mandates and reforming medical malpractice laws in order to make coverage more affordable, and improving health care quality through better consumer information about providers and costs and permitting external review of health plan decisions involving medical judgment.

"Employer-based programs provide economic security to many working families," said Sullivan. "New government mandates and expanded health care liability will only increase costs and reduce the number of employers who can provide health benefits to their workforce."

The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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