The health of a nation
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has joined Start Over! – a national coalition to defeat the health care reform legislation currently under review in the US Senate.
The US House of Representatives passed HR 3962 on November 7, 2009, and on November 21, 2009, the Senate's cloture on the motion received a 60-39 vote to move the debate to the entire Senate. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill within two months.
"We need health care legislation that focuses on reducing costs,” said AAMA's president and CEO Rich Walker. “We want Congress to start over and get health care reform right.”
Per a recent statement by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), "The Medicaid provisions included in the bill would mean that states will be forced to make drastic budget cuts or increase taxes on businesses and individuals. In total, the legislation raises taxes by $493 billion”.
According to NAM, the new legislation would impact small businesses with a new surtax on wage income, an excise tax on health insurance plans, and additional fees would apply for other specific industries. "The bill also falls short in its lack of any meaningful limits on medical liability," said Walker.
To amplify its members' voices, AAMA has partnered with the following industry associations:
• Associated Builders & Contractors
• Associated General Contractors
• Independent Electrical Contractors
• International Foodservice Distributors Association
• International Franchise Association
• National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
• National Retail Federation
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
