More Creative Solutions

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Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, as Congress takes on the essential task of strengthening America's health care system, we have a choice here to either rush legislation costing more than $1 trillion or to have a serious analysis on the fundamental question as to how we actually improve health care outcomes, reduce costs, and protect vulnerable persons.

One major consideration should be how any health care proposal will affect small businesses. Small businesses generate 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs each year in this country. In my hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, 80 percent of those in the private sector are employed in businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

This current plan would place an 8 percent payroll tax on certain small businesses who do not or cannot provide government-mandated coverage.

Mr. Speaker, one study suggests that as many as 4.7 million jobs could be lost as a direct result of this overall health care proposal. This does not help anyone.

There are more creative solutions to get people the care they need, help families manage ever-increasing costs, and help small business entrepreneurs provide the benefits for their employees.

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