Small Business Majority lauds Baucus-Grassley health reform proposal

Sausalito: The nation's small business owners would benefit tremendously from healthcare reform based on policy options outlined in the Baucus-Grassley proposal being heard in the Senate Finance Committee today, according to CEO John Arensmeyer at Small Business Majority, a leading nonpartisan advocacy organization for small business and healthcare reform.

Our research shows that escalating healthcare costs are the number one concern of our country's 27 million small business owners, Arensmeyer said. Historically, small businesses have created 79% of the net new jobs at the beginning of an economic recovery. To empower these firms to play that role today, we absolutely have to bring down healthcare costs and increase coverage.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), the committee's ranking Republican, yesterday released details of the proposal the committee is considering today. Key elements include payment reform, an increased focus on primary care, improved quality, the use of health information technology, and a crackdown on fraud, abuse and waste.

The Baucus/Grassley approach is a good one for small businesses, Arensmeyer said, calling it a great next step in the process of comprehensive healthcare reform.