Address Leaves Small Business Owners With More Questions
Washington, D.C., September 10, 2009 – President Barack Obama delivered a prescription for health care last night that left some of the self-employed wondering just where they fit in the plan. While the speech elaborated on current proposals the President wants in a final reform package, he did not address a number of key concerns for micro-business owners (those with 10 or fewer employees). Click here to read the full text version of the President’s speech online. “While I am pleased that the President has decided to take a more active role on health reform and referee the players on Capitol Hill, ultimately we all know that the devil is in the details,” remarked Kristie Arslan, executive director of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). “If the President is going to hold fast to the current proposals -- some good, some bad -- on the table and not offer any new ideas, then we need to know his opinion on the details and how it differs from that of Congress.” The NASE supports a few specific reform proposals that will provide enormous relief for self-employed business owners. These propositions will greatly increase their ability to afford coverage for themselves, their families and their employees:
After Pres. Obama’s speech, the self-employed weighed in with their reactions: “My concerns remain the same: Is there a possibility that my premiums may actually increase because I can no longer purchase the kind of coverage I currently have,” Graphic Designer Alyssa Turk of Grand Rapids wondered. “Regardless of how you cut it, the government will be much more involved in the health care choices of those who purchase health care privately. This is what I am opposed to. I am happy to be responsible and have health insurance; I simply don't trust the government to determine my plan.” “As small-business owners, I see most of us just taking the 8% penalty for not insuring our employees and letting our employees just use the government option,” said Chris Humphrey, a photographer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. “It's sad but true. I can't afford a massive hike in health care rates and I know most other small businesses can't either. Let the free market work and let the insurance companies compete across state lines.” View a more detailed version of the NASE’s Health Reform Priorities online. Read Arslan’s entire commentary on the NASE Staff Blog. Read the full text of President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.
About the NASE The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's Web site at www.nase.org.
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Courtesy of NASE.org https://www.nase.org/about-us/media-relations/PressReleases/2009/09/10/NASE_Business_Owners_Respond_To_Pres_Obama%E2%80%99s_Health_Care_Speech