[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 PENDING HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO SMALL BUSINESS

  (Mr. HANCOCK asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HANCOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to 
employer mandated health coverage included in the President's Health 
Security Act, and in the health reform legislation currently pending 
before the Committee on ways and Means. As one of the few small 
business owners in Congress, I can attest to the devastating effect 
employer mandates have on economic growth, international 
competitiveness, and most importantly, employee job security.
  Believe me, when this mother of all mandates is handed down to 
America's job creating companies, businesses will close their doors for 
good. In fact, a recent study conducted by Consad Research Co., 
estimates a loss of between 850,000 and 3.8 million jobs.
  Ask your constituents what is more important? A job providing income 
and family support, or a club membership card to a new big government 
health care program. I think the answer is obvious judging from the 
fact that the President's plan to take over health care is now dead and 
buried.
  There are reasonable ways to ensure universal access to affordable 
health care without destroying small business in America. It is time to 
dismiss the employer mandate for the bad idea it is, and get on with 
fixing the true problems with our current health care system.

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