The Small Business Health Fairness Act (H.R. 660) was approved today by a vote of 26 to 21 by the House Education and Workforce Committee. The bill would allow small businesses to band together through associations to purchase health care for their employees. President Bush and the U.S. Department of Labor support the legislation, as well as groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). This article by Thompson Publishing Group reports on the bill: “AHP Bill Clears House Committee.”
This news release by the Department of Labor on the subject was just issued: “Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Applauds Passage of Association Health Plans Legislation.”