Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao on U.S. House Passage of AHPs
Release Date: 5/13/2004
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today released the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of legislation that would create Association Health Plans (AHPs) and help small-business employers and workers gain access to more affordable health insurance:
 

"The momentum and support for small-business health plans continues to grow. In addition to the House's strong, bipartisan passage of AHP legislation today, a Senate Health Care Task Force this week included AHPs in its list of recommended solutions, and the Senate's AHP bill picked up additional, bipartisan support.

"AHPs will help provide small businesses with a secure and affordable way to close the health coverage gap and provide quality health care for their employees.

"Also, by allowing small businesses to pool their buying power and spread their risk, AHPs will put small businesses on an equal footing with large employers and unions. The current situation is unfair to small employers and their workers, and that's why it is so important for Congress to act on AHP legislation as soon as possible."