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Conan Knoll
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Small Business for America’s Future Commends Appointment of Xavier Becerra to Head Health and Human Services

Statement by Rhett Buttle, senior advisor to Small Business for America’s Future and former Director of Private Sector Engagement in the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services

Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 2020—President-elect Joe Biden’s appointment of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services is good news for small business owners and their employees who need relief from the high cost of healthcare and are relying on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) now more than ever.

In California, Becerra fought for the preservation of access to the ACA as the Trump Administration tried to dismantle the law. Small business owners support the ACA. A June survey of 1,211 small businesses in Small Business for America’s Future’s network found 67% of them support strengthening the law and 57% oppose any attempts to repeal it.

While building upon the ACA is important, we must also begin to tackle the high cost of healthcare for small business owners. The same survey shows that 71% of small business owners say lowering healthcare costs should be a top priority for policymakers. Having worked in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Obama Administration, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for small businesses and their employees to have a strong leader who will be an advocate for their needs in doing this work. 

Health insurance premiums continue to be a significant cost for small businesses. We shouldn’t be tearing down a vehicle that can lower them and that provides health insurance for millions of Americans during the worst health crisis of our generation, we should be strengthening it.



Furthermore, we should push Congress and the new Administration for policy solutions that make healthcare more accessible and affordable, which will strengthen our small businesses and provide security to the entrepreneurs and employees who depend on them financially.

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.