Posted by Molly Nelson - The House Committee on Small Business recently held a hearing on
health care reform proposals and their effect on small businesses.
Among a panel of witnesses was the NASE's own Senior Health Advisor,
Mike Beene.
Beene testified that many of the self-employed are scaling back
health coverage or dropping coverage completely in order to keep their
business open or pay for basic needs like their home and utilities.
![24-hsbc-mike-beene-testimony-0051 24-hsbc-mike-beene-testimony-0051](http://voiceofmicrobusiness.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/24-hsbc-mike-beene-testimony-0051.jpg?w=300)
Even though he was battling a cold, Mike made sure that the
Committee heard the NASE's recommendations on how to make health care
more affordable for micro-businesses. The NASE's proposals for
increasing affordability included: a self-employment tax deduction on
health insurance, allowing access to Health Reimbursement Arrangements
(HRAs) for the self-employed, and the introduction of health tax
credits.
To watch Mike's testimony before the Committee, click here.
Read the NASE's press release on Mike's testimony here.