• Americans Still Coming Up Short on Health Insurance
• Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims, Small Businesses
• Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist Dies at 80
• Congressional Calendar Changes

Americans Still Coming Up Short on Health Insurance

The number of uninsured in this country rose by 800,000 to 45.8 million in 2004 but remained at 15.7 percent of the population, according the latest figures by the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau released 2004 income, poverty, and insurance rates this week. The percentage of people covered by employment-based insurance declined from 60.4 percent to 59.8 percent while the percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs increased from 26.6 percent to 27.2 percent. The Census Bureau also found that Medicaid coverage increased by half a percent between 2003 and 2004. “The NASE has recognized the health coverage crisis in this country for a long time. The government needs to act now to pass legislation to alleviate this problem,” said NASE president Robert Hughes. “Micro-business owners cannot afford to insure themselves, their families or their employees with continuous increases in premium costs.” The NASE favors the following changes to the current health care system: Elimination of the Self-Employment Tax on Health Insurance Premiums Association Health Plans Deductibility of Health Insurance with Health Savings Accounts Health Care Tax Credits “The NASE continues to fight for a fair health care system where micro-business owners and the self-employed can find affordable ways to insure their families and employees,” said Kristie Darien, NASE executive director of the legislative office. “Association health plans, tax credits, and health savings accounts could be solutions to an ever-growing problem in the U.S.” The NASE supports many bills currently in Congress including the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005 (H.R.525/S.406), Healthcare Tax Relief for the Uninsured Act of 2005 (H.R.1872/S.978), Equity for Our Nation’s Self-Employed Act (S.668), and Health Technology to Enhance Quality Act of 2005 (S.1262). To learn more about the U.S. Census Bureau report, visit http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/005647.html. For more information on the NASE’s position on health care, visit http://advocacy.NASE.org.

Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims, Small Businesses

While it will be difficult for Hurricane Katrina’s victims to piece their lives and properties back together, some government agencies are providing assistance for individuals and small businesses. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas who have been struck by Hurricane Katrina. The Small Business Administration (SBA) also provides small business disaster assistance loans. Individuals can also apply for disaster assistance loans through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “The victims of Hurricane Katrina are in our thoughts during these tough times,” said National Association for the Self-Employed president Robert Hughes. “I encourage micro-business owners to take advantage of the help from the IRS and SBA.” Those affected by the hurricane will generally have until October 31, 2005 to file tax returns and submit payments and will relieve them of any late filing or payment charges that would apply. It also applies to the September 15 due date for estimated taxes and for calendar year corporate returns with automatic extensions, according to the IRS. The IRS has set up a toll-free disaster hotline. Victims can call 1-866-562-5227 for assistance. Sixty-four Louisiana parishes, 52 Mississippi counties, six Alabama and three Florida counties have been designated for the relief so far. “People affected by Hurricane Katrina have more than enough concerns –– taxes shouldn’t be among them,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “We hope the relief we are providing will help taxpayers in their financial recovery from this devastating storm.” The SBA has extensive instructions and forms to apply for small business disaster assistance loans on its Web site: http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/index.html. For more information on relief for Hurricane Katrina victims visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=141489,00.html http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html http://www.sba.gov http://www.fema.gov/

Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist Dies at 80

William Rehnquist The NASE offers its condolences to the family and friends of the late Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and remembers his great service to our country. President Bush has nominated John Roberts to be the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Senate hearings were scheduled to begin this week to confirm Roberts as an associate justice to replace retiring justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Those hearings are postponed to next week in deference for funeral for Rehnquist this week. President George W. Bush has not yet announced his nominee for the second Supreme Court vacancy.

Congressional Calendar Changes

With the huge, disastrous effect of Hurricane Katrina, Congressional priorities for this month have changed. Estate tax legislation, for example, will take a back seat as both the House and Senate unite to pass emergency legislation to help Katrina’s victims. Congress came back into session last week, earlier than scheduled, to begin passing legislation to help Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Both Supreme Court nominations are also expected to dominate the Senate schedule over the next couple months as well.