Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock Lead 49 Representatives in Bipartisan Effort to Protect Small Businesses in Health Care Debate

From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock

Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA-02) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) are leading a bipartisan effort to make sure that the interests of small businesses take center stage in the debate over health care reform.

In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner signed by 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans, Nye and Schock write that “regardless of party affiliation, we all agree we must take action to reform health care” and to reduce costs for small businesses.

However, Nye and Schock conclude: “Any proposal that simply replaces one crippling expense with another is not reform at all, and is something we cannot support.”

Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock are respectively the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology.

Congressman Glenn Nye said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but they’re being held back by health care costs that make it harder to compete. The small business owners that I talk to in Virginia know that we need health care reform now so that they can start creating jobs. I support health care reform that provides real relief for small businesses, and that guarantees that all Americans have access to quality, affordable medical care, and the freedom to choose their own plan and their own doctor.”

Congressman Aaron Schock said: “Small businesses employ over 50 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, the increasing cost of health care has placed a heavy burden on these employers. As we work to reform our broken health care system, it is of the upmost importance to ensure these reforms not only are bipartisan, but also allow small businesses to flourish.”

In addition to attracting strong bipartisan support from 49 Representatives on both sides of the aisle, the effort has also secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).

Brad Close, NFIB vice president of federal public policy, said: “Small business owners need Congress to consider real reforms that address unsustainable health care costs and the lack of choices and competition among insurance providers in the small group market. NFIB appreciates Rep. Nye’s leadership in calling to attention how important it is for health care reform to help and not harm small business owners. We hope members of Congress will follow the advice of Rep. Nye and his colleagues and demand that health care reform provides meaningful relief for small business owners.”