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The U.S. House of Representatives could soon act to advance a flawed health-care reform bill that will mean more taxes, higher costs and a ballooning federal deficit - all of which would threaten job creation in the nation and in the Commonwealth.

PA Chamber members believe there is a better way to improve the health-care system, and urge federal lawmakers to vote "NO" on the current reform bill.

The need for commonsense health-care reform
Businesses and individuals alike recognize that improvements are needed to make the nation's health-care system more efficient, accessible and affordable. Job creators further know that taking steps to reduce the high cost of health care is important to the state's and nation's economic well-being. According to the PA Chamber's 19th Annual Economic Survey, 93 percent of respondents said health-care costs were a deterrent to job creation and growth, with 73 percent citing costs as a major deterrent.

But the current bill pending in Congress isn't real reform. The bill would harm private-sector insurance coverage. Under the bill, all health plans would be subject to numerous new mandates, requirements, regulations and bureaucratic oversight, which would force these plans to raise prices and change or eliminate plan offerings.

The proposal would also harm job creation and retention. The bill's minimal impact on controlling health-care costs, combined with its massive new taxes (payroll, investments and 401(k)s, prescription drugs and health-care policies to name a few), would add to the cost pressures already facing job creators.

The proposal's "play or pay" requirements impact businesses with more than 50 employees, which is a huge disincentive for small businesses to grow. This is the wrong thing to do at any time, but particularly at a time when the nation is looking for ways to recover from the massive job losses caused by the recession.

Just say 'NO'
Everyone agrees that steps must be taken to address the affordability, accessibility and quality of health care, but the deeply flawed solutions contained in the current health-care reform bill are not what job creators and most Americans have in mind.

PA Chamber members are urging Congress to reject the current health-care reform bill and start over in order to develop an effective, bipartisan solution. Business also urges lawmakers to reject parliamentary maneuvers designed to secure passage of the proposal at any cost. Advancing any legislation - especially a bill that would restructure one-sixth of the nation's fragile economy - in this manner would be a significant blow to the trust voters place in the men and women elected to public office.