[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH FAIRNESS ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1101, 
the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017.
  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing economic 
opportunity and employment for millions of Americans across our 
country.
  Too often, we have seen the economic engine stall due to intrusion 
and overregulation that come courtesy of the federal government. There 
are few places where this is more obvious than in the staggering health 
care costs small businesses face, costs which Obamacare have only 
driven up.
  Obamacare's burdensome mandates have driven premiums up and insurance 
providers out of the market, and small employers have found themselves 
increasingly unable to cover their employees. The big picture for small 
businesses is that the ACA has smothered patient choice and patient-
centered care in the process of overregulating our job creators.
  In the House, we are empowering small businesses to fight back by 
increasing their bargaining power with insurance providers and leveling 
the playing field that they share with larger companies. The Small 
Business Health Fairness Act will help lower health care costs for 
employees by allowing small businesses to join together through 
association health plans.
  Ultimately, this bill will bring relief to American employees and 
their families by making insurance more affordable and accessible.
  H.R. 1101 is an important step toward empowering small businesses to 
care for their employees while prioritizing the job creation that 
strengthens our communities. At the same time, this bill would 
contribute to a patient-centered, competitive, and low-cost health care 
system for all Americans. I am proud to support this legislation as we 
return choice to our businesses and loved ones.

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