U.S. Chamber Urges Action on Health Reform that Helps American Business and Workers

"Legislation Must Not Burden America's Job Creators with New Mandates," Josten Says

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In advance of President Obama's meeting with Senate Democrats regarding health care reform today, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Bruce Josten issued the following statement:

"The Chamber agrees that the time for health care reform is now. Any reform must address the existing problems without costing millions of jobs or placing burdens on small businesses. The delivery system reforms and insurance regulation proposed by Congress are important steps toward getting health care costs under control and covering uninsured Americans.

"While we all agree that the need for affordable health care is imperative in order to provide substantial coverage for those Americans who cannot afford it, the Chamber has concerns about an employer mandate, a public plan, and the minimum benefit package.

"Employers already voluntarily pay $500 billion a year for health benefits for employees - a mandate would force employers who cannot afford health insurance to reduce their payroll and not hire new workers. If individuals are mandated to have coverage, market forces will lead to more employer offerings.

"We also have concerns about a proposed minimum benefit package that might force all health plans to be expensive 'gold-plated plans'. Health reform needs to be affordable or it will not be successful.

"Further, the Chamber does not support creation of a new government-run insurance company, which would inevitably compete unfairly and move us toward a government-run health care system.

"To accomplish our shared goal of improving our nation's health care, it is imperative that legislation not burden America's job creators, and that the concerns of employers, especially small businesses, are heard. We still believe there is an opportunity to pass a health reform package this year that the business community can support, as long as Congress follows the oldest principle in health care: first, do no harm."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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