Mark Kelly: “I rise this morning to mention one of the other reasons we must reform Medicare--our Nation's small businesses. It is…”

“I rise this morning to mention one of the other reasons we must reform Medicare--our Nation's small businesses. It is conservatively estimated that employer costs will rise by more than 125 percent in only seven years, if we fail to fix Medicare. Mr. Speaker, what small business can survive overhead like that? Our Nation has more than 20 million small businesses, and it is these organizations which have made us the super power we are. They are the engines of innovation and growth in our economy, providing virtually all the new jobs in our country over the past 10 years. My State is the 2d most taxed State in the Nation, and my district is the 12th most taxed district in the country. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, how can I justify this increased burden on my small businesses? Mr. Speaker, I hope that when the fearmongers start throwing their fictitious claims they remember the 37 million beneficiaries and our 20 million small businesses, rather than just their petty political goals.”