AGC: Health Care Bill Picks On Small Contractors

Christmas Eve brought a not-so-nice surprise to a construction industry that’s already been disproportionately affected by the current economic conditions.

The United States Senate voted 60-39 to pass a health care package that has dominated the debate floor since being passed by the House of Representatives in November. The AGC of America has used its legislative resources to oppose this particular version of health care reform due to the complexity of the plan, cost shifting rather than cost reductions and the strong likelihood that implementation of the plan will increase costs for those who already have and provide insurance.

Of particular interest to the AGC in the Senate's version of the bill is an amendment tacked on by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. Under the amendment, the construction industry - and only the construction industry - is outside of the small business exemption that was included in the bill.

In a move that the AGC claims defies logic, employers in the construction industry were singled out to be required to comply with the mandate once they have five employees or their payroll reaches $250,000. While Senators claimed that the bill had the support of the majority of the construction industry, the AGC - the nation's largest advocate for construction - wondered how such a statement could be made without bending the truth.

For more information on this bill and what it could mean to your business, visit the AGC's Legislative Action Center.