SEMA Member Companies and Their Employees Ask Senators to Deliver Health Care Relief

WASHINGTON--May 8, 2006--Providing employees with access to affordable health care coverage is the number one legislative issue for the member companies of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Representing nearly 6,600 member companies with over 1 million employees, SEMA has asked the United States Senate to pass S. 1955 when it comes to a vote during the week of May 8, 2006. The bill will allow trade associations to offer small business health plans (SBHPs).

"Our SEMA member companies join thousands of other small businesses across America that are desperately seeking to provide their workers with access to affordable medical care," said Chris Kersting, SEMA's president and CEO. "Our industry provides the consumer with the option of purchasing high-quality products produced in a competitive marketplace. Our companies and their employees want the same option when it comes to health care coverage."

S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, would permit a trade association to offer a variety of health packages so long as at least one plan matched the benefits offered to state employees of one of the five most populous states. This would guarantee that workers have access to plans with state-mandated benefits such as mammograms, diabetes care, smoking cessation services, and well-child care.

SBHPs would still be regulated at the state level but would be national in scope since many state regulatory burdens would be removed. With increased bargaining power, the plans should reduce premiums, provide greater health insurance options, and bring more people into the system and thereby create larger risk pools.

SEMA conducted a health care survey and found that skyrocketing premiums had made it difficult for member companies to offer health care coverage to their employees. Thirty-one percent of the companies did not provide any coverage, up from 11 percent just 10 years earlier. Twenty-eight percent still offered coverage and paid the entire premium. For the remaining 41 percent, both the workers and the company paid the premium costs.

"Nearly 46 million Americans are without health insurance," said Kersting. "Our SEMA member companies are asking for the chance to be part of the solution. S. 1955 should provide coverage to at least 8.5 million previously uninsured workers. The Senate must not pass up this opportunity to help address our nation's health care crisis."

Corporations and labor unions already have the right to offer national health insurance policies. Twenty-seven million small-business owners and their employees are asking for the same right, under the supervision of state regulators. It is time to end the debate and respond to the crisis.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of SBHP legislation last July, marking the eighth time in the last 10 years it has approved a measure. This marks the first time the legislation has been considered by the Senate. President Bush stands ready to sign it into law.

Senators are being presented a simple choice: vote "yes" to provide health care coverage to millions of Americans or vote "no" to deny access. SEMA, its member companies and their employees are respectfully urging Senators to vote "yes."

SEMA represents the $32 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has approximately 6,500 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs, crossovers and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765-3914; call 909-396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.