FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

7/10/08                                                                          202-224-2841

                                                                                    LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                                    603-439-9560

SUNUNU CO-SPONSORS BILL TO MAKE HEALTH CARE

 MORE AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE

Bill to increase buying power for small businesses and provide tax credits for individuals 

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (7/10) announced his support for legislation to make health care more affordable and available for small businesses and individuals across New Hampshire. Sununu is a co-sponsor of the “Making Health Care More Affordable Act” (S. 3072), which includes six core reforms to expand health insurance coverage and reduce insurance costs.

“This bill will focus our effort on small business and the individual markets where most people in New Hampshire work today. These basic reforms will improve access to health insurance at a lower cost for millions across America,” said Sununu. “By providing individuals with a health insurance tax credits, allowing small businesses to band together to buy plans, and encouraging high-tech efficiencies, we can expand coverage to those who need it without jeopardizing the coverage of those who are insured today.”  

The Making Health Care More Affordable Act (S. 3072) includes the following provisions:

•  

  family of four to increase affordability of health care for those who do not have employer-based health insurance;

• Creates Association Health Plans by allowing small businesses to join together to negotiate better rates and strengthen them;
• Provides a Health Insurance Tax Credit of up to $2,500 for an individual and $6,000 for a
• Allows individuals to purchase insurance policies across state lines, helping to create a national market for health insurance and ensuring that consumers can find the coverage best suited to their needs;
• Builds on the success of Health Savings Accounts, which give individuals the ability to control their own health care purchases;
• Stops lawsuit abuse and frivolous lawsuits which drive up the cost of health care and have limited access to critical specialty physicians, particularly in rural areas; and
• Encourages the development of Health Information Technology and the high-tech efficiencies that reduce costs and medical errors. 

 

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BACKGROUND: Senator Sununu has a lengthy record of commitment to health care policy that has earned him national recognition. Specifics about the following awards can be found on his official web site at www.sununu.senate.gov under the “Honors” section:

• National Breast Cancer Coalition “Certificate of Excellence Award.”
• National Association of Community Health Centers “2008 Superhero Award.”
• American Foundation for the Blind’s “2006 Helen Keller Achievement Award.”
• Bi-State Primary Care Association’s 2005 “Champion of Community Health Centers.”
• Lighthouse International’s 2004 “Henry Grunwald Award for Public Service.”