Chandler Votes to Repeal Healthcare Reform Provision Hurting Small Businesses

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ben Chandler supported the repeal of a provision in the healthcare reform law that many small businesses in the Sixth Congressional District opposed. The provision requires small businesses to file a 1099 form with the IRS every time they spend more than $600 with a single third-party business for goods and services. This requirement was intended to ensure that all proper taxes are paid.

"Many of our small businesses are struggling enough in this tough economy," Chandler said. "The intent of the provision is good, but we don't need to add more rules, more paperwork, and more bureaucracy, burdening our small businesses when they should be focused on creating local jobs."

The repeal of this 1099 provision was part of the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011, or H.R. 4. Last year, Chandler voted against the larger healthcare reform law because of its cost to taxpayers, rural hospitals, and especially Kentucky's small businesses.

This is one of a number of votes Chandler has taken to change the healthcare reform law. Earlier this year, Chandler also supported H.Res. 9, the Health Care Law Replacement Proposals/Adoption Resolution. This resolution instructed the Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees to report legislation to the House that would replace elements of the health care law. The changes would include provisions aimed at lowering the costs of health insurance premiums, overhauling the medical liability system, and making permanent changes to the formula used to determine Medicare physician payment rates.

"The healthcare reform law isn't perfect and needs some major changes," Chandler said. "It may take time, but these are important first steps."

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