[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13842]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

  (Mr. ADLER of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ADLER of New Jersey. I rise today to bring attention to the many 
small business owners and employees in New Jersey and across this 
country who cannot afford health insurance. Small businesses are the 
backbone of our local communities and economies. The small business 
owners are struggling to make ends meet under the weight of their 
health insurance costs, and the price just keeps rising.
  I know the struggle personally. My father owned and operated a small 
business, a dry cleaning business. My dad lost his business after 
suffering multiple heart attacks without health insurance. He worked 
hard, supported his family, but the price of insurance was just too 
high. Over 30 years later, more and more families in New Jersey are 
still feeling the same pinch.
  From the year 2000 to 2007, health insurance premiums in New Jersey 
increased by 71 percent, while median yearly wages increased only 15 
percent. And more than 28 percent of individuals working for small 
businesses are living without health insurance.
  I hear from small business owners in Burlington County and Ocean 
County almost every day. They want to provide health insurance for 
themselves, their families, and their employees. They just can't afford 
it.
  That's why I'm proud to join a bipartisan group of legislators 
supporting the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP Act. The 
SHOP Act will allow small businesses to pool their resources and find 
the best options to meet the needs of their employees.
  Let's support small business and their hard work and entrepreneurial 
spirit.

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