SmallBusinessNewz

On any given day, we're likely to see something from the National Association for the Self-Employed, the National Federation of Independent Business, or the National Small Business Association.  Now, however, all three organizations have contributed to a single letter, which goes to show how critical they view the issue of healthcare to be.

The letter carries the signatures of the group's presidents, and was sent to every member of Congress yesterday.  At about 450 words, it's short enough not to bore recipients, and so seems to stand a good chance of getting read.

As for the contents, the letter starts by pointing out what a burden health insurance can represent to small businesses.  Then it urges Congress to pursue the following four goals:

- Instituting insurance market reforms that increase access, expand choice, and spur competition for private insurance;
- Creating marketplaces that provide greater transparency and efficient approaches for purchasing insurance;
- Providing equity in tax treatment - regardless of how or where insurance is purchased; and
- Improving affordability and providing for sustainable cost containment by eliminating wasteful spending in the overall healthcare system.

Next, a few words are said against employer mandates, and the letter ends with an invitation for Congress to collaborate with the NASE, NFIB, and NSBA.