Action Alert: Health Plan Derailed

U.S. Senate blocks your opportunity to get health insurance A small business health plan, allowing small businesses to band together through membership in an association to offer employees more affordable healthcare plans, was blocked in the U.S. Senate on May 11. The Senate, on a procedural vote on bill S.1955, failed to pass the measure. The bill fell 5 short of the 60 votes needed to pass. The bill was backed by the International Franchise Association (IFA), which expressed disappointment that some Senators who publicly expressed sympathy for the plight of small business would not allow a vote on S. 1955. Still, the small business health plan legislation moved further in the Senate than ever before. Franchise businesses across the U.S. had sent a record-breaking 3,000 emails and faxes to the Senate during the past several weeks urging the measure to pass. The IFA is recommending that franchisees who want this legislation (eventually) passed should follow these guidelines: Thank Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), sponsor of S. 1955, who worked hard to get the bill through committee and in front of the full Senate. Express your disappointment at this delay and urge all Senators to work to get SBHP legislation to the Senate floor again this year. Go to franchisingvotes.com and email or fax your letter to both of your state's U.S. Senators. The site is free, and just requires you to register so your Senators can be automatically identified. There are IFA-drafted letters  on the site. Call your Senators’ offices. Attend Franchise Appreciation Day, Sept. 25-26 in Washington, D.C. You may register at franchise.org