Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2006

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Senator Seward Honored as 2005 ‘Senator of the Year’

ONEONTA – Today New York’s largest single-issue grassroots business coalition – the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care – honored Senator James L. Seward (R-Oneonta) as 2005 Senator of the Year. The award is based on is unyielding support of affordable health care and dedication to keeping health insurance affordable for New York’s small businesses and sole proprietors. The coalition presented this award in front of members of the South Central Action Council convened at the Holiday Inn for their legislative luncheon.

“The senator continues to support the idea of affordable health insurance for New York’s small business community through his opposition to health insurance mandates, or legislation that requires employers to pay for costly or redundant treatments or services in every package, ultimately increasing health insurance costs,” said Pamela Finch, director of public relations for the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care. “As chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Senator Seward has remained steadfast in his commitment to our cause, believing that everyone should have access to basic, affordable health insurance.”

Making the awards presentation on behalf of Alliance chair Jeff Leland was Rob Robinson, CEO of The Otsego County Chamber and a member of the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care Board of Directors.

Senator Seward was selected for the honor, based on a record of four consecutive “A” grades in the Employer Alliance’s annual Legislative Report Card. The report card offers an annual, in-depth evaluation of every state lawmaker’s voting and bill introduction record on issues pertaining to affordable health insurance, basing a final grade on the legislator’s overall commitment to the issue.

“Senator Seward has shown time and time again that he truly understands plight of New York’s sole proprietors and small businesses when it comes to the need for affordable health insurance,” Robinson said. “As chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Senator Seward is not afraid to take action to give more New Yorkers access to basic, affordable health insurance coverage.”

The Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care is a grassroots coalition with 2,500 members representing over 200,000 working New Yorkers. Members oppose the passage of health insurance mandates that increase costs and make it harder for many working New Yorker’s to purchase basic coverage.