SAN DIEGO -- The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) board recently passed a motion endorsing the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

HR-3962, which was passed by the House and Senate, remains in political debate until finalized. A conference committee is currently negotiating compromises to the bill, after which a revised version will be sent to both houses of Congress for final sanction.

“The bill will be very beneficial to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community on many levels,” said Tom Luhnow, the association’s chief executive officer, adding that GSDBA stands firmly against the anti-choice provisions in the bill.

The GSDBA, the second-largest LGBT-supportive business chamber in the nation, cited several key advantages of HR-3962:

• Tax equity for Health Plan beneficiaries – allow health coverage expenses to be paid with pre-tax dollars for not only spouses, but also for domestic partners and their dependant children.

• Insurance companies would be required to provide coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions or current illnesses.

• Insurance companies will be required to cover, at no additional cost, routine checkups and preventative care.

About the GSDBA
The association was founded in 1979 and embodies 800 members comprised of entrepreneurs and small and large companies. It serves also as a blueprint to other LGBT business chambers around the country, which in part, earned it the honor of “Chamber of the Year” in 2006 by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

For information about GSDBA membership and upcoming events, call (619) 296-4543 or visit www.gsdba.org.