As the government is shut down for yet another day, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who spoke to a group of about 50 small business owners last week at a forum to discuss the Affordable Health Care Act released a statement saying "Today, hundreds of thousands of federal employees though out the country, including more than 50,000 Texans did not go to work today and face uncertainty on when how they will pay their bills during this crisis. On what should be a great day for America, with the opening of the new health insurance market places, members of the extreme wing of the Republican party are playing the blame game on who is at fault for the federal government shutdown.”Johnson says since she was elected by the constituents of the 30th district to govern responsibly and with the best interests of the American people, she will do so "I was not elected to hold the American people or our economy hostage when our political parties disagree.”
She also said that along with her staff in Washington D.C. and Dallas, she will continue to work hard to serve the people of Texas throughout the shutdown and support the healthcare law as well.
"Starting today, the healthcare law will allow my constituents looking for coverage to purchase affordable, quality health insurance through the new online marketplace. This new online marketplace provides a very simple way to get health insurance that will meet your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget at any income level. Though the government has shut down, the Affordable Care Act will continue,” she says.
At the affordable healthcare forum that Congresswoman Johnson spoke at late last week, the third in her small business series, she had noted at the time that health care is indeed an extremely important topic for the forum series for a number of reasons.
"With the public being inundated with increased attention and overwhelming information, Congresswoman Johnson wanted the facts of this law addressed by the experts, as well as provide a forum to the public where their specific concerns could be answered,” her staff reported.
In the coming weeks the public will also learn more about the benefits of this program and Congresswoman Johnson says that there must be a collective effort of outreach throughout Dallas and North Texas. Personally, her office has reached out to area chambers, churches, small businesses, community organizations and other elected officials to promote this effort.
In last week’s presentation Johnson also emphasized that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will help small businesses by lowering premium cost growth and increasing access to quality, affordable health insurance. The ACA contains a number of provisions that help to slow the growth of health care costs and insurance companies must also publicly disclose and justify premium rate hikes of 10 percent or more.
As well, Johnson says the majority of small businesses will not be affected by the new employer shared responsibility rules, which take effect in 2015. Johnson pointed out that, in fact, businesses with fewer than 50 full-time or equivalent employees are not even subject to the same rules "that’s 96 percent of our businesses,” she said.
And, for those businesses with 50 or more employees, the majority already provide coverage that meets the health care law requirements anyway.
As she welcomed attendees, Congresswoman Johnson also mentioned the Super Sunday campaign sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative is a partnership with the faith-based community that will designate the second Sunday of each month from October to December 2013 as an enrollment Sunday for congregants to sign up for health insurance through the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
The purpose of this initiative is to promote assistance and resources from regional agencies to include the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Community Council of Greater Dallas.
As well, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also ramping up its education and outreach efforts for America’s small businesses on the Affordable Care Act too. In coordination with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance, Business Forward, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the campaign will help small employers learn more about how to take advantage of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), part of the Health Insurance Marketplace that opens October 1.
SHOP is designed for small employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees. On their own or with the help of an agent, broker, or other assister, small employers will be able to compare price, coverage, and quality of plans in a way that is easy to understand.
"In recent years, the number one concern for many small businesses has been the increasing cost of health insurance premiums,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Many who would like to offer insurance to their employees have faced few choices, high administrative costs, and skyrocketing premiums when an employee gets sick.”
"Since the passage of the health care law, Small Business Majority has been committed to working with policymakers, local chambers of commerce, business organizations and others to educate small business owners about the Affordable Care Act,” said Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority John Arensmeyer.
"With open enrollment and full implementation right around the corner, we've upped our efforts to get entrepreneurs the information they need to best take advantage of the law’s small business provisions. Small business owners have been waiting for decades for something to rein in premium costs. This is our chance to help get them some relief.”
Employers buying health insurance through the SHOP Marketplace may also qualify for a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to help defray their premium costs. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees have already received a tax credit of up to 35 percent of their contribution to employees’ health insurance premiums. Beginning in 2014, this tax credit will be worth as much as 50 percent of the employer’s contribution to premiums and will be available only to those purchasing coverage through the SHOP.
The SHOP offers small employers quality brand name health insurance plans and lets them make side-by-side comparisons when choosing a coverage option that is right for their business. In addition, starting in 2014, small employers have additional protections in the insurance market, including that no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
It was at the beginning of the year that Congresswoman Johnson launched the small business series with the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
In June, Congresswoman Johnson hosted her second forum to promote voluntary efforts in strengthening the role of women business owners within the community, and provide education, financial or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership.
With an idea that small businesses are the backbone of American economy as well as a key factor to strengthen the economy and create jobs, the Small Business Series is a program designed to provide current and aspiring small business owners the educational and operational resources necessary for managing successful small businesses.
Source: Focus Daily News
