The Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) Town Hall, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), provided a platform to discuss health care reform and its effects on small-business owners.

Industry experts Kaitlyn Dwyer, legislative analyst for ASA; and Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, reviewed the new law's impact on independent automotive repair businesses and possible changes in health care laws. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions in this interactive presentation.

Panelists for the program included Donna Malvey, Ph.D., University of Central Florida; Terri L. Seefeldt, RHU, Rogers Benefit Group; Jim Houser, Hawthorne Auto Clinic Inc.; and Don Seyfer, Seyfer Automotive.

"At our Town Hall meeting, automotive repairers expressed concern about health care costs and the new health care law," stated Redding. "Congress is still discussing possible changes in the new health care law but it's important to note the administration continues the regulatory process and recently announced the long-term care insurance program known as CLASS, passed as part of last year's health care reform law, will not be implemented at this time. The administration indicated that the proposed new program is actuarially unsound."

For more information on health care reform, including related press releases, visit ASA's legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

For additional information about ASA, go to www.ASAshop.org. ASRW, NACE and CARS are produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions.