Rep. Fattah Hosts 'Healthcare 101' Forum for Small Business

PHILADELPHIA , May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a leading Congressional advocate for President Obama's healthcare and health insurance reform plan, today hosted Healthcare 101, an informational forum for small business owners at which experts described exactly how the new law helps Philadelphia entrepreneurs.

Mayor Michael Nutter joined Congressman Fattah in keynoting the two-hour program in Ritter Hall at Temple University.

"We have changed forever, and for the better, the way Americans access our healthcare system, providing first time or improved coverage for tens of millions of Americans who desperately need it," Fattah said. "We have improved access to coverage for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy."

The Healthcare 101 Forum included Kevin Dow, deputy city director of commerce; Meaghan Burdick, deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Marc Stier, Pennsylvania director of Healthcare for America Now.

"I am proud to sponsor Healthcare 101 so that we can provide our Philadelphia entrepreneurs with timely answers from the experts about these new opportunities," Fattah said. "We are dispelling the myths about the new law and spotlighting its immediate benefits, starting with the immediate tax credits that small business entrepreneurs receive when they offer qualified healthcare coverage."

Fattah took the lead in January in advocating for the legislative strategy that leaders in Congress employed to enact Obama's landmark legislation. That strategy, which Fattah outlined the day after Democrats lost the Massachusetts Senatorial election, led to House passage of the Senate version of comprehensive healthcare, then immediate passage of corrections to the original bill by both Houses under budget reconciliation rules.

The Congressman was invited to the White House to witness President Obama's signing ceremony on comprehensive healthcare reform, and has been working to spread the word on immediate benefits of the new law.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah