NFIB Thanks Sen. Byrd For Supporting Small Business Health Fairness Act

Release Date: 5/13/2004

Today, NFIB Senior Vice President Dan Danner made the following statement regarding the sponsorship of the Small Business Health Fairness Act (S. 545) by U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (W. Va.). Sen. Byrd is the first Democrat to sponsor the legislation, which would allow small businesses to join together and form Small-Business Health Plans (also known as Association Health Plans or AHPs). "On behalf of the 600,000 members of the NFIB, we thank Senator Byrd for agreeing to sponsor the Small Business Health Fairness Act (S. 545). More than 25 million of the uninsured across America are small-business owners, employees or dependents of small businesses with less than 100 employees, and they account for the largest segment of the uninsured population. Senator Byrd's support of S. 545 illustrates to small businesses in West Virginia and across the nation his commitment to making quality, affordable health care a reality. NFIB appreciates Senator Byrd's support of this small-business-friendly legislation, and is hopeful that his support, coupled with today's strong vote in the U.S. House for Small-Business Health Plans, will provide the momentum necessary to spur the Senate to act on S. 545."