Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004

SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH FAIRNESS ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - May 13, 2004)

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Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan).

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) for his hard work on this very important legislation.

I rise in support of this commonsense legislation which will deliver quality health care to millions of Oklahomans. One of the greatest challenges the State of Oklahoma faces is our uninsured population. With 650,000 uninsured, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the number of uninsured across the country. This is a shocking statistic, an unacceptable situation; and today I am proud to take action to fix this problem.

Association Health Plans will allow small businesses to group together with their national trade associations to utilize their collective buying power when dealing with large insurance companies. AHPs will bring quality health care to Oklahomans covering specific diseases, maternal and newborn hospitalization, and mental health. With the enactment of this legislation, up to 8.5 million uninsured Americans will gain coverage immediately.

Nationwide, 44 million Americans are uninsured; and 60 percent of those uninsured are employed by small businesses who will benefit. AHPs will cut an average of 13 percent, up to 25 percent, off insurance premiums.

This is smart legislation that will bring better health care to American families. It is time that 5th Avenue benefits find their way to shops on Main Street. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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