Labor Secretary Elaine Chao with President Bush

Earlier this week, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) New Orleans/Bayou Chapter Chairman John Donahue, III, vice president of DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc., joined with five ABC members to participate in a roundtable meeting with U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to discuss the challenges faced by small businesses in obtaining affordable, quality healthcare. The meeting, which was co-sponsored by the chapter and other small business groups, was the fifth in a series of nationwide roundtable discussions with Secretary Chao on the need for association health plans (AHPs).

During the August 20 meeting, Chao noted the importance of AHP legislation for small businesses seeking to control the rising cost of health insurance premiums. The legislation is currently pending in the U.S. Senate.

"Association health plans will provide more choices, increase access to quality care and reduce the cost of health care coverage for small-business employers and their employees," said Chao. "The president and I are committed to closing the health care coverage gap, and we urge the Senate to pass legislation to make affordable health coverage a reality for more small-business employers and their workers."

As part of its effort to garner support for the AHP legislation, ABC has sent a survey to its Grassroots Action Team seeking "real life" examples of the need for affordable healthcare through the creation of AHPs. Numerous examples of healthcare challenges have already been provided.

To participate in the survey, visit https://www.abc.org/documents/AHPsurvey.doc to download the short form. Complete the survey and fax it to ABC National's Government Affairs Division at 703-812-8202.