>> well, pretty much -- pretty much every model that professor gruber model produced a better result than a status quo because it was such an absolute disaster for small business, fewer 50% small businesses are even offering anymore. clearly we would love to work with the committee to figure out the right balance of tax credits and sliding scales and exemptions but virtually any system where some recognition is given to the special needs of small business, that has reform in it that deals with the cost containment is going to be far better for small businesses than the status quo. >> i certainly agree small businesses need some help in a lot of areas. let me -- let me move to mr. speranza if i could. i appreciate your comments about rochester, of course, in minnesota we have rochester, minnesota, which had been referred to a couple of times here. we're pretty proud of the mayo clinic and the work it's done there. some real collaborative work in changing things. can you comment -- do you have any more comments about reforms that were left out of the bill that you would like to have se

professor gruber has modeled scenarios described in detail in our report and we look forward to working with you to ensure the best balance between the need to finance the system and our ability to pay. another issue of great concern to us is the unfair tax treatment of the twenty-nine million self-employed americans. under the current tax code self-employed individuals are unable to deduct premiums as a business expense and are required to pay an additional 15.3% self employment tax on their health-care costs. we encourage this inequity rectified in the final bill passed by the house. chairman miller when you announce this historic bill, you noted that health care premiums had spiraled out of control, quote, place in our fiscal future in peril. we agree wholeheartedly. health-care reform is not an ideological issue, it is an economic and practical one. we are encouraged by the approach of this bill and look forward to working with you to make a reality this year. thank you. >> thank you. cisco? >> chairman miller, members of the committee, i am out 22 your breast cancer survivor and i