"I would like to begin my remarks by saying something we can all agree on: A major concern facing small-business owners is access to quality, affordable health care. The lack of health insurance in America disproportionately affects workers in small businesses. About 6 of every 10 uninsured Americans are in families headed by workers who are self-employed or who work at firms with fewer than 100 employees. Workers at the smallest firms are far less likely to be covered on the job, and far more likely to be without insurance from any source. Association Health Plans empower small-business owners, who otherwise cannot afford health insurance, to offer 'Fortune 500' company quality health insurance to their employees. Association Health Plans would cover large groups, enjoy large economies of scale, and have the option to offer self-funded plans that would not have to provide any profit margin for insurance company profits. Importantly, AHPs would expand health care coverage to millions of Americans at no cost to taxpayers. Now is the time to enact AHP legislation....Given the bipartisan, bicameral support in favor of AHP legislation to solve the health care crisis facing small business owners and their families, there is no reason not to act this Congress to make Association Health Plans a reality. AHP legislation will not only save small businesses their hard-earned dollars, it will save lives.

Statement at the Association Health Plans Coalition Press Conference, Feb. 11, 2003