Manufacturer & Business Association Opposes So-Called 'Affordable Health Care for America Act'
| For Immediate Release: October 30, 2009
Contact: Tammy Polanski at 814/833-3200 |
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ERIE – The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) announced today its strong opposition to the so-called “Affordable Health Care for America Act.”
“There are 4.5 million American sub S-Corporations, thousands of whom are located in Pennsylvania and will now face a 5.4-percent surtax on incomes over $500,000. This isn’t take-home money for our small businesses; this is a massive tax on their working capital. It equates to a federal tax rate that will increase to nearly 50 percent,” said Association President Ralph Pontillo. “Manufacturers – who’ve already lost 2.1 million jobs – will be particularly devastated by this bill.”
The bill calls for mandatory coverage by employers, a government-run health-care program (public option), the creation of a Health Insurance Exchange, and the slashing of Medicare payments to providers by more than $400 billion. According to the MBA, the added cost, regulation and taxes associated with the bill will put companies out of business faster than unfair trade.
“This legislation will destroy the private health-care system in the United States. It will force many of us into government-controlled plans and create a socialistic health-care system that will eventually cost more, provide less and decrease the quality of care,” Pontillo said.
The Association strongly rejects this legislation and urges Congresswoman Dahlkemper (D-3), Congressman Glen T. Thompson (R-5), Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4), and Congressman Chris Carney (D-10) to vote in opposition to the bill and instead work toward real health-care reform that protects the American people.