Lawmakers back health reform for nonprofits

November 4, 2009

A group of 44 members of Congress representing 22 states across the U.S. have signed a letter encouraging U.S. House leaders and the White House to include nonprofits in proposed health-care reform legislation.

"As written, the tax-credit provisions included by the House to address the needs of small, for-profit businesses would not be available to small nonprofit employers," the letter says.

The omission could result in escalating premiums for nonprofits, most of which are small organizations experiencing the same sharp increases in health-care costs as the nation's small businesses.

"Every dollar nonprofit employers pay in higher insurance premiums is another dollar taken away from delivering essential food, shelter, clothing and other vital services that people need in this devastating economy," Tim Delaney, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, says in a statement. "Individuals employed by nonprofits should not be penalized because they work for public good rather than private gain."

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