Congressman Advocates Tax Credits, Local Business Owners Share Stories

(Doylestown, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined small business owners from Bucks County to discuss the need for health insurance reform that works for employers. Local business owners were on hand at Peyton Brown Industries, a locally-owned small business, to share their experiences providing coverage for themselves and their employees, and why the current system is unacceptable and unsustainable for their businesses. Among the participants were Joe Frederick and Alan Keim, who are facing the choice between continuing to provide health care coverage for their employees or to keep their business afloat; Peyton and Joanne Brown, who pay more for their premiums than their mortgage each month; Susan Quinn, self-employed along with her husband, who continues to work despite injury so that they do not lose their health care coverage; and Kate Megargee, a self-employed Bucks resident who cannot find a more affordable insurance plan because she would be denied due to pre-existing conditions.

Skyrocketing costs prevent many small business owners in Pennsylvania from being able to ensure that their workers have health insurance coverage, and small businesses spend far too much to cover their employees, putting them at a major competitive disadvantage. Congressman Murphy has advocated for the small business tax credits in the current health insurance reform proposals, and has consistently fought for provisions that would increase access to quality, affordable health insurance coverage for every American. Under the House bill, 18,100 small businesses in Bucks County would get tax credits for providing insurance for their employees.

“As these stories show, the cost of healthcare for small business and the self-employed is skyrocketing – cutting into profit margins and putting hardworking entrepreneurs at a major competitive disadvantage,” said Congressman Murphy. “If we fail to provide access to quality, affordable health care coverage for every American, we’ll see even more employers faced to make the choice between layoffs, canceling health benefits, or going out of business.”

“As business owners, my wife and I are perfect examples of educated, hardworking, healthy-living people who at one time had ‘great’ health insurance but now pay outrageous premiums for basic coverage,” added Peyton Brown, owner of Peyton Brown Industries. “Making sure we can provide quality, affordable health care coverage for us and our employees is a smart business decision, and without reform the current system will continue to harm small business creation and limit job growth nationwide.”

Congressman Patrick Murphy has advocated for health insurance reform that is deficit neutral, prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, closes the Medicare Part D “donut hole”, and maintains employer-driven incentives. He supports the inclusion of a strong public option in reform, and has pledged to enroll himself and his family if it is implemented.

For Immediate Release, September 18, 2009
Contact: Kate Hansen, (202) 225-4276