OLYMPIA—Employers from Washington state to West Virginia now have a quick and effective way to participate in the national health care debate thanks to an effort coordinated by the Association of Washington Business. 

AWB, Washington state’s chamber of commerce, led the effort to coordinate 20 state chambers and employer groups in the development of Employers for Quality Health Care. The effort is a means of giving individual employers – who provide 61 percent of health care coverage in the U.S. – a direct link to their Congressional delegates on the issue. Employers for Quality Health Care is an independent coalition that brings a unique perspective to the table alongside national business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

“Employers of every size and industry have a stake in the current debate over health care reform,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “We want to actively engage and encourage our members, and others like them nationwide, to go on record about the impact of the proposed changes on them as employers. AWB has been closely involved in this issue and it seemed logical for us to take a lead role in the development of this effort.”

Today the coalition officially launched its campaign by sending a letter to President Obama and Congress outlining their priorities and suggestions for reform. Businesses can contact members of their state’s Congressional delegation through the official Web site, www.employersforqualityhealthcare.org. Employers can also keep pace with changes to the legislation and continue their conversations via the social media platforms Facebook and Twitter (@stchmbrs4health).

“This is the first time we have organized a grassroots effort across state lines, and have really come together around this issue,” said Donna Steward, AWB’s government affairs director for health care issues. “While employers of all sizes have concerns about the current federal health care proposals, we agree that something must be done to fix the system. It is our hope that, through our effort and those of other national business organizations, Congress will take the time to do what’s needed to reform our health care system in a way that improves the quality of life for all Americans.”