Dold signs onto health care reform bill at key moment

A part owner in his family's pest control business, Robert Dold promised voters on the campaign trail he'd stand up for the needs of local companies.

So, it was with a bit of timely symbolism that the first piece of legislation the new 10th District Congressman signed on as a co-sponsor of was aimed at eliminating a provision of health care reform that he says will unfairly burden small businesses with mounds of paperwork and compliance fees.

Dold, a Kenilworth Republican, announced at a Tuesday news conference at Learning Resources in Vernon Hills that he'd signed onto the legislation that would eliminate the “1099” rule that requires companies to file tax forms for any purchase or service transaction of $600 or more.

Etienne Veber, CEO of the educational materials company, estimated that the provision, which would force the company to complete additional paperwork with its 7,000 vendors, would likely cost around $250,000.

While like his predecessor, Sen. Mark Kirk, Dold supports repeal of the health care law, he said it was vital to first put “building blocks” in place to reform the current legislation.

Strong bipartisan support of the legislation removing the 1099 rule is expected. Along with Dold, 244 other Congressmen have signed on as co-sponsors, 12 of them Democrats. They include suburban Republican lawmakers Judy Biggert of Hinsdale, Peter Roskam of Wheaton, Randy Hultgren of St. Charles, Adam Kinzinger of Manteno, Don Manzullo of Egan, and Joe Walsh of McHenry.

Obama noted last November he would consider changing the provision; a sentiment Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin echoed at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights Jan. 7.

Dold's statements come just a day before House Republicans scheduled a vote to repeal health care. While the measure is expected to pass the Republican-controlled House, it will likely stop short in the Democratic-controlled Senate. As the clock ticks down to the hour of the vote, groups on both sides of the debate have been lobbying Congressmen for their support.

Catholics United has urged Catholics in the 8th Congressional District to call Rep. Walsh — an outspoken critic of health care reform — to urge him to vote against repeal.

In defense of the legislation, the White House on Tuesday also issued an analysis that found that 5.6 million Illinois residents with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage without the law in place.