ACEC - One of the Few Associations That Offers a Nationwide Association Health Plan, Says New Health Plan Legislation Would Increase Access to Affordable Coverage.

WASHINGTON -- The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) strongly supports the Small Business Health Fairness Act, introduced Wednesday in the Senate by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

The legislation (S. 406) would allow businesses to pool together across state lines through trade associations to purchase health insurance from a provider, or self-insure in the same manner as that of large employers and labor unions.

ACEC is one of the few associations that currently offers its members the benefits of a nationwide Association Heath Plan (AHP). Conflicting state regulations result in higher administrative costs and prevent many members from accessing the association's low-cost, quality health care program.

The Small Business Health Fairness Act would remedy this situation by creating uniform regulations for all states and allowing firms of all sizes to be covered.

"Rising health care premiums are a major concern for all of our members, but they hit the small firms the hardest," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. "Quick passage of Senator Snowe's legislation will help ensure that we can offer all our engineering firms quality health insurance at a competitive price."

ACEC also strongly endorses the House version of the bill, H.R. 525, introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). The Bush Administration has also signaled its strong support for this legislation.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America's engineering industry, representing approximately 5,500 independent engineering companies throughout the United States engaged in the development of America's transportation, environmental, industrial, and other infrastructure. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.