OLYMPIA— The Association of Washington Business today joined 3,100 other state and local chambers of commerce, associations and small businesses nationwide in sending a letter to Congress, expressing concern with the possible loss of jobs posed by the current health-care reform proposals.

“We need legislation that moves our health care system —and our economy — forward, and right now, jobs are the leading indicator of a successful economic recovery. Yet, when you look at the proposed health-care legislation, we’re finding new ways to cut jobs at a time we can least afford it,” said AWB President Don Brunell.

The letter notes the business community’s “dedication to improving the nation’s health care system, especially in terms of lowering costs, improving the quality of care, and making sure every American has access to affordable coverage,” and states that current legislation “would not improve the system, but jeopardize the parts of the system that currently work. In fact, these bills do nothing to ‘bend the cost curve,’ according to Doug Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” Rather, the “‘curve is raised.”

The three major concerns mentioned in the letter include: a government-run plan that would increase costs and limit choice; an employer mandate that would kill jobs and lower wages; and a lack of any real effort to lower health care costs and “bend the cost curve.”

“We believe that responsible and constructive health reform that we can all support can be enacted this year,” said the letter.  “We call on Congress to enact reforms that improve the health care system without jeopardizing those who currently have coverage.”

AWB is also one of 21 state chambers and employer groups involved in Employers for Quality Health Care, a coalition encouraging individual businesses to speak out on the national health care reform issues. A trio of small employers —who are AWB members — is featured on the site, including Jim and Judy Coovert of Printcom, Inc. in Burien; Rosemary and Larry Brester of Hobart Machined Products in Hobart; and Don Conant of Valley Nut & Bolt in Olympia. More is available at www.employersforqualityhealthcare.com.