Melton Hancock: “I rise today to express my opposition to employer mandated health coverage included in the President's Health Security…”

“I rise today to express my opposition to employer mandated health coverage included in the President's Health Security Act, and in the health reform legislation currently pending before the Committee on Ways and Means. As one of the few small business owners in Congress, I can attest to the devastating effect employer mandates have on economic growth, international competitiveness, and most importantly, employee job security. Believe me, when this mother of all mandates is handed down to America's job creating companies, businesses will close their doors for good. In fact, a recent study conducted by Consad Research Co., estimates a loss of between 850,000 and 3.8 million jobs. Ask your constituents what is more important? A job providing income and family support, or a club membership card to a new big government health care program. I think the answer is obvious judging from the fact that the President's plan to take over health care is now dead and buried. There are reasonable ways to ensure universal access to affordable health care without destroying small business in America. It is time to dismiss the employer mandate for the bad idea it is, and get on with fixing the true problems with our current health care system.”