Chamber Endorses S.A.V.E. Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced its strong support for the "Securing Access, Value, and Equity in Health Care Act" to address gaps among today's uninsured population by making health coverage more affordable and accessible.

"This proposal will preserve access to coverage that millions of working families now have through their jobs, while making individually purchased policies far more affordable," said Carolyn Hicks, Chamber director of congressional and public affairs.

Reintroduced by Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX) and Albert Wynn (D-MD), the S.A.V.E. Health Care bill would allow individuals and families to claim between $1,000 and $3,000 in refundable tax credits, which can be advanced by the Treasury directly to health plans to pay enrollees' premiums. Assistance would be available to individuals with incomes up to $65,000, and to couples with incomes up to $105,000. Furthermore, those with higher cost plans due to age, medical condition or geography will be eligible for additional assistance.

"As health care costs have rocketed by double digits, employers have had to pass on some of the cost to their workers, which has priced some people out of coverage," said Hicks. "This bill targets assistance to those who need it most and – by allowing it to be used for workplace plans – it builds on the current employer-based system."

Making health care coverage more affordable – and more accessible – is a priority of the business community, which voluntarily provides a health benefit to 136 million workers, retirees and their families. With millions of working Americans still lacking health insurance, the U.S. Chamber has joined a number of influential organizations to raise awareness of the issue by sponsoring "Cover the Uninsured Week," which runs March 10-16. A total of 140 national groups representing business owners, working men and women, doctors, nurses, insurers and consumers are part of this effort, which will consist of more than 650 events nationwide.

The U.S. 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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