Capitol Hill

A major battle regarding health care reform legislation may be approaching. With public opinion polls indicating health care costs are a top domestic policy concern, Congress and the next U.S. president may attempt to tackle this volatile issue in 2009.

Legislation to expand access to affordable health care benefits, particularly for small businesses, has long been a priority for NRCA as many roofing contractors struggle with annual double-digit premium increases. NRCA already is working on Capitol Hill to prepare for the expected debate in the 111th Congress.

Presidential proposals

A key factor in health care reform legislation is which person will reside in the White House after Jan. 20, 2009. All three major presidential candidates have outlined health care reform proposals during their campaigns.

Democratic candidates Sen. Barack Obama from Illinois and Sen. Hillary Clinton from New York have similar proposals, which seek to provide universal coverage by providing a mix of government mandates and incentives to purchase insurance for individuals and employers, as well as increase regulations on insurance companies.

Republican nominee Sen. John McCain from Arizona eschews mandates and instead offers a market-based approach that seeks to reduce health care costs through increased competition and technological innovation. The centerpiece of McCain's proposal is a refundable tax credit that allows individuals the option to purchase coverage on their own instead of through their employers.

Congressional proposals

Since Democrats took control of Congress in 2007, they have not made an effort to pursue major health care reform legislation because of a lack of consensus within their own ranks and a preference to wait for the next president instead of dealing with President Bush. However, there have been extensive discussions about how to proceed with this issue behind the scenes, and several new proposals are emerging.

In March, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) introduced the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), which seeks to lower health insurance costs and expand choices for small businesses.

SHOP would allow small-business owners to join state-based purchasing pools and establish a nationwide pool by 2011. It also would provide a tax credit aimed at helping small-business owners afford health insurance and allow trade associations, such as NRCA, to assist members in navigating the resulting expanded coverage options.

NRCA commends the senators for jump-starting a constructive dialogue about this issue and notes the proposal offers an intriguing mix of market reforms and government incentives designed to expand access to affordable coverage for small-business owners.

In the House, Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is crafting her own version of health care reform legislation. NRCA has been working with Velázquez to develop a new type of purchasing cooperative designed to expand options and reduce health insurance costs for small businesses.

Similar to the SHOP bill, Velázquez's proposal also would provide a tax credit to help small businesses afford coverage and a meaningful role for associations to assist members in the complex process of obtaining health insurance. The legislation is expected to be introduced this summer.

A formidable task

NRCA will continue working with key members of Congress and the next president to pass legislation that meets the health care needs of roofing contractors and their employees.

Duane L. Musser is NRCA's senior director of federal affairs.