Daily News Update, Jan. 25, 2008

Cattlemen speak out on health care

The House Committee on Small Business held a full-committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 23, entitled "Limited Health Care Options for Small Businesses in the Small Group Market," which is an issue of great importance to cattle producers across the United States.

In comments submitted for the hearing NCBA said, "Cattle producers are an important component of the small business community and are strong contributors to the economic diversity of small towns and communities."

NCBA went on to say that, "the business climate for today's cattle producer is increasingly difficult. Like other small and independent business owners, many cattle producers are struggling to maintain adequate health care for their families in the face of dramatically increasing prices."

NCBA policy calls for a one hundred percent deductibility of health insurance costs for self-employed persons, among other issues that include Medicare reimbursement, incentives to attract health care providers to rural communities and better patient choices for healthcare options.

Legislation has been introduced by Congressmen Rom Kind (D-Wis.) and Wally Herger (R-Calif.) to address the one hundred percent deductibility issue, and NCBA urges quick action on H.R. 3660 to help level the playing field for our producer members.