SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND MEANINGFUL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

SEC. 622. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND MEANINGFUL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.(a) Findings.—The Senate finds the following:(1) There are approximately 45 million Americans currently without health insurance.(2) More than half of uninsured workers are employed by businesses with less than 25 employees or are self-employed.(3) Health insurance premiums continue to rise at more than twice the rate of inflation for all consumer goods.(4) Individuals in the small group and individual health insurance markets usually pay more for similar coverage than those in the large group market.123 STAT. 106(5) The rapid growth in health insurance costs over the last few years has forced many employers, particularly small employers, to increase deductibles and co-pays or to drop coverage completely.(b) Sense of the Senate.—The Senate—(1) recognizes the necessity to improve affordability and access to health insurance for all Americans;(2) acknowledges the value of building upon the existing private health insurance market; and(3) affirms its intent to enact legislation this year that, with appropriate protection for consumers, improves access to affordable and meaningful health insurance coverage for employees of small businesses and individuals by—(A) facilitating pooling mechanisms, including pooling across State lines, and(B) providing assistance to small businesses and individuals, including financial assistance and tax incentives, for the purchase of private insurance coverage.