Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Focuses on the Impact of the Affordable Care Act in the 3rd Forum in her Small Business Series

Dallas, TX – (Friday, September 27, 2013) –  Today,nearly 150 small business owners and community activists attended the third of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s Small Business Series in Dallas today to learn how they and their employees can benefit from the Affordable Care  Act.

“I believe that small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy and these enterprises will  be a key factor in strengthening our economy and creating jobs,” said Congresswoman Johnson in a telephone address to the business owners.”

“I am a staunch supporter of small business and  am proud to partner with those of your present today  who are  champions of small business, and  the affordable health care act  as they advance the North Texas economy,” said the Congresswoman who has organized a series of small business meeting to inform business owners about how they can benefit from government programs

“We desperately need affordable health care, said Yolanda Olivarez, the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. “It is the right thing to do for the American people. We have one hundred and twenty-nine million Americans with pre-existing conditions who will now be able to get affordable health coverage because of the new law. The law will also make our economy stronger, and it will promote healthier living by people who live in this country.

Dr. James R. Farris, the Regional Administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Dallas, said “The Affordable Care Act and its exchanges will promote an environment in which insurance companies will have to compete for the business of people. As a result, the costs of insurance premiums will be lower.”

“The health care law will provide insurance to people who have been uncovered.  Small businesses will benefit greatly from the act,” said Dr. Farris, a physician. “There are 500,000 people in Dallas County that are uninsured.  That is inexcusable, and the Affordable Care Act is designed to drastically reduce that number.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.