When Sen. John McCain delivered the keynote address last month at the National Federation of Independent Business 2008 National Small Business Summit, he did much more than speak to several hundred interested small business owners.
He pushed the concerns of a significant voting bloc to the forefront of the presidential campaigns. In fact, both Sens. McCain and Barack Obama have spent much time specifically addressing the number one issue among small businesses, health care. And it's about time.
Recognizing that health care costs have become unmanageable for many entrepreneurs, McCain said, if elected, his administration would introduce health care reform that would provide hardworking Americans more options and expand portability of coverage. Obama, who was invited to speak at the summit but did not attend, responded to McCain's remarks by reiterating that small businesses need more options to access quality, affordable health care coverage.
We also know both candidates recognize that implementing health information technology and addressing an inequitable tax structure should play a part in any comprehensive reform package.
Over the past few weeks, it's been encouraging to see the candidates discuss the issues facing small businesses, especially the rising cost of health care. But they, and all of our country's leaders, must realize that entrepreneurs deserve more than just discussions.
Because the truth is, these job creators, those on the front lines of the health care crisis, are the voters who will be electing the next president. They are demanding that the next administration and Congress implement real change that makes health care more affordable for working Americans.
According to a recent National Federation of Independent Business survey, 81 percent of small business owners and 52 percent of employees do not feel the presidential candidates are adequately addressing issues that are important to them, specifically health care.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of those polled say fixing health care should be a top priority for the next president and nearly 80 percent agree that “it is important to me to vote for a presidential candidate whose health care plan makes sense for small business.”
A similar survey showed that the small business community comprised 43 percent of registered voters in the United States and nearly 32 percent of the electorate on Super Tuesday. These numbers prove that small business is a powerful, motivated group in a position to demand substantial solutions to the health care crisis from candidates.
Both candidates are focused on reforming our ailing health care system and have begun to recognize that small business must be considered in any proposed legislation. The National Small Business Summit may have ended, but small business' commitment to achieving quality, affordable health care has not.
We're at the beginning of long and productive discussions with both candidates to ensure the needs of small businesses remain at the forefront of the health care debate. We know that solutions to America's health care crisis must start with small businesses, the backbone of the U.S. economy.
When health care is fixed for small business, it will be fixed for America.
The National Federation of Independent Business is the nation's leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, the nonpartisan organization gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business.
For more information, visit www.NFIB.com.
He pushed the concerns of a significant voting bloc to the forefront of the presidential campaigns. In fact, both Sens. McCain and Barack Obama have spent much time specifically addressing the number one issue among small businesses, health care. And it's about time.
Recognizing that health care costs have become unmanageable for many entrepreneurs, McCain said, if elected, his administration would introduce health care reform that would provide hardworking Americans more options and expand portability of coverage. Obama, who was invited to speak at the summit but did not attend, responded to McCain's remarks by reiterating that small businesses need more options to access quality, affordable health care coverage.
We also know both candidates recognize that implementing health information technology and addressing an inequitable tax structure should play a part in any comprehensive reform package.
Over the past few weeks, it's been encouraging to see the candidates discuss the issues facing small businesses, especially the rising cost of health care. But they, and all of our country's leaders, must realize that entrepreneurs deserve more than just discussions.
Because the truth is, these job creators, those on the front lines of the health care crisis, are the voters who will be electing the next president. They are demanding that the next administration and Congress implement real change that makes health care more affordable for working Americans.
According to a recent National Federation of Independent Business survey, 81 percent of small business owners and 52 percent of employees do not feel the presidential candidates are adequately addressing issues that are important to them, specifically health care.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of those polled say fixing health care should be a top priority for the next president and nearly 80 percent agree that “it is important to me to vote for a presidential candidate whose health care plan makes sense for small business.”
A similar survey showed that the small business community comprised 43 percent of registered voters in the United States and nearly 32 percent of the electorate on Super Tuesday. These numbers prove that small business is a powerful, motivated group in a position to demand substantial solutions to the health care crisis from candidates.
Both candidates are focused on reforming our ailing health care system and have begun to recognize that small business must be considered in any proposed legislation. The National Small Business Summit may have ended, but small business' commitment to achieving quality, affordable health care has not.
We're at the beginning of long and productive discussions with both candidates to ensure the needs of small businesses remain at the forefront of the health care debate. We know that solutions to America's health care crisis must start with small businesses, the backbone of the U.S. economy.
When health care is fixed for small business, it will be fixed for America.
The National Federation of Independent Business is the nation's leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, the nonpartisan organization gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business.
For more information, visit www.NFIB.com.