This weekend (Oct. 14-15), "Marketplace Money" will air a segment on the growing health-care crisis in America. Health care has been the No. 1 issue facing small-business owners since 1986, and those concerns are growing.

The number of people without health insurance is pegged at 44.8 million in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the nearly 45 million Americans without health care, more than 27 million are small-business owners, employees or dependents of small businesses. Access to affordable health care needs to be addressed by our legislators.

In Amanda Austin's interview, she highlights the need for Small-Business Health Plans, which can decrease costs and increase coverage for the small-business community. By joining together, small employers will see savings from greater bargaining power, economies of scale and administrative efficiencies. Austin emphasizes that SBHPs, as part of a comprehensive plan, can help to reduce the cost burden on our country's No. 1 job creator: small businesses.

To learn more about SBHPs, visit NFIB.com or www.SBHPsNow.com.

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