[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE EXPANSION ACT

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2000

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that will help 
uninsured Americans get the health insurance coverage they want and 
need. It has been endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition, whose members 
support this fiscally responsible, targeted solution that will help 
uninsured Americans and the small businesses where many of them work.
  Like a majority of my colleagues, I support the Patients' Bill of 
Rights that will give patients and their doctors power over health care 
decisions. I have been frustrated by the slow work of the conference 
committee in coming to a compromise on this legislation.
  I want a Patients' Bill of Rights to pass before Congress adjourns 
for the year. I want to go home and tell my constituents that I have 
done what I promised to do. I hope that the bill I am introducing today 
will provide a middle ground for the conference negotiations. A 
majority of this House supports the Patients' Bill of Rights, and both 
Republicans and Democrats can agree that the problem of the uninsured 
is one of our most pressing public health concerns.
  The bill would provide immediate 100 percent deductibility of health 
insurance premiums for self-employed individuals. My bill also would 
create a temporary tax credit for small employers who have not offered 
health insurance in the past two years. The credit will reimburse 20 
percent of health insurance costs, up to $400 per year for individuals 
and $1000 for family coverage. Businesses can get an additional 10 
percent tax credit (up to 30 percent total) if they join in a Health 
Benefit Purchasing Coalition, which provides small employers a way to 
pool resources, negotiate collectively with insurers, and administer 
health plans for small employer groups. In order to foster innovation 
on the state level, the bill creates a state grant program for 
initiatives that expand health insurance to the uninsured through 
market innovations.
  I have attached the letter sent to Senator Nickles from the Blue Dog 
Coalition asking him to consider our bill as a reasonable compromise to 
the $48 billion access bill that passed the House with no offsets. This 
bill is targeted, fiscally responsible, and could become law.
  Small employers are struggling to provide health insurance coverage 
for their employees, and Congress should do something to help them. 
It's the right thing to do for business, and it's the night thing to do 
for millions of Americans who want and need health insurance.

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