[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     SMALL BUSINESS AND HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. DERRICK asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DERRICK. Mr. Speaker, why do we need health care reform?
  Besides the 35 to 40 million Americans with no health care plan at 
all, there is health care's stratospheric cost on the Government and 
economy.
  Health care costs already anchor our national debt. If we do not take 
action, they will hobble the small businesses that drive our economy.
  On average, small businesses pay 35 percent more for health plans 
that large employers. Health care costs have risen 20 to 50 percent for 
small businesses, and the burden of worker's compensation is increasing 
at 1\1/2\ times the rate of health care costs.
  Health care reform will ease this pressure. Small, low wage 
businesses will receive discounts of between 25-85 percent on health 
care costs, allowing the smallest employers to provide affordable, 
effective health care insurance.
  Nine out of ten Americans get their private health insurance at work. 
America's small businesses are the place to begin real health care 
reform.

                          ____________________