The United States has the world's best health care system, but coverage is being priced out of reach for more and more American citizens. For five straight years, health insurance premiums have increased by double digits pushing the number of American citizens without coverage to over 45 million. Companies struggle to find health care plans that provide adequate and affordable insurance for their employees.

The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recognizes that employers currently provide most health care coverage in the United States. The Chamber also recognizes that free market forces provide the best solution in long-term control of both quality and cost of health care, particularly when the consumer is empowered with the responsibility of decision-making. See our Public Policy Guide for more information on this issue.

There is no question that the United States immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. An estimated 10-12 million undocumented migrants are in the United States, and deporting them would be equivalent to moving all the residents of the state of Ohio – not a realistic option. As a nation, we are facing an aging population and a severe shortage of qualified and willing workers for essential jobs in the United States.


The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce realizes that immigrants have played an important role throughout our nation's history. The economy will depend on immigrants even more heavily in the future, when huge numbers of aging workers begin to retire. By putting the right policy in place now, we can fix the problems created by illegal immigration and take a large step toward alleviating worker shortages that will surely grow unless we act now. See our Public Policy Guide for more information on this issue.

Protecting a trademark, copyright and/or intellectual property is a high concern for many businesses these days. The federal copyright law balances intellectual property rights of authors, publishers and copyright owners with society's need for the free exchange of ideas. The preservation and continuation of these balanced rights in an electronic environment are essential to the free flow of information and to the development of an information infrastructure that serves the public interest. See our Public Policy Guide for more information on this issue.

The United States has the most open markets in the world. We as consumers benefit from being able to purchase the many goods and service available to us from around the world. As a nation, we are economically better off and more secure due to open markets. On the downside, too often foreign markets are not as easily accessible. American companies that manufacture goods and produce value added services as well as America's farmers find themselves facing prohibitive tariffs, quotas and other trade related barriers keeping them from achieving their full export potential.


With 96% of the world's consumers living outside of our nation, it is truly important that the United States enter into trade agreements, which begin to open outside markets to American companies. In today's world, globalization means U.S. small business comprise nearly 97% of all exporters, thus making trade an issue for all businesses. See our Public Policy Guide for more information on this issue.

The unemployment rate in Carlsbad, San Diego County, California and the nation is always changing. A well-trained and competent workforce is essential to maintaining a vibrant business climate. Complying with ever-increasing regulations, which limit the flexibility of employers, continues to make California one of the most difficult states to do business. See our Public Policy Guide for more information on this issue.