WASHINGTON (May 10, 2006) — The Senate has voted 96-2 to limit debate on the Small Business Health Plan bill sponsored by Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., ensuring an expedited vote on the bill.
The legislation, supported strongly by the automotive aftermarket, would allow small business associations to negotiate across state lines for low-cost health insurance coverage, much as large corporations do now.
Democrats—many of whom fear the Enzi bill will result in insurance policies so stripped down as to be useless—are expected to offer an alternative bill on the Senate floor that would model Small Business Health Plans on the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.