Trent Lott: “I do want to move this legislation along. But in the House-passed bill, there was a pro-small-business provision, and I…”

“I do want to move this legislation along. But in the House-passed bill, there was a pro-small-business provision, and I think we should include that in any bill that we send to the President. The provision, which the House called the Health Coverage Availability and Affordability Act of 1996, clarifies existing law. It allows small business employers to join together to purchase health insurance for their employees. This act also included provisions allowing individuals to open the medical savings accounts that we have already dealt with this afternoon. I really do think there is a real justification for small businesses to be able to join pools and provide coverage for their workers. That could be a pool through the Restaurant Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, or within their own corporation. I realize that it is not as simple as it sounds, but it is something that should be done. I think it would help a lot of people now that work for small businesses--particularly fast food services--be able to get access to insurance through these pools.”