Democratic Senator Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued a statement after a Republican-led vote rejected a Democratic proposal aimed at reducing health care costs for small businesses, their employees, and families.
Markey criticized the decision, stating: "Today, Republicans made a clear choice: bow down to Donald Trump and vote to make health insurance more expensive for 10 million small business owners and their employees. Republicans are telling the job creators and the economic backbone of our country—small businesses—that their health care comes second to tax breaks for CEO billionaires."
He further added: “Republicans have a genius plan: DO NOTHING to lower health care costs and let small businesses struggle to survive in Trump’s failing economy. Health is the first wealth, and Republicans’ dogged opposition to lowering health care prices robs small businesses, turning Main Street into Pain Street. Small businesses won’t forget the Trump administration’s betrayals. I will continue to fight to protect access to health care for all—not just the wealthy few."
Markey also released data showing that over 4.2 million small business owners depend on enhanced premium tax credits for affordable health coverage. In Massachusetts alone, nearly 60,000 small business owners benefit from these credits.
If Congress does not extend these expiring premium tax credits, annual premiums are expected to double on average for about 10 million American small business owners and their employees.
