Mr. Rooter Executives Voice Healthcare Concerns on Capitol Hill

WACO, Texas (Dec. 21, 2009) – Mr. Rooter Plumbing corporate executives Mary Kennedy Thompson and Jeff Moody recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they voiced their concerns on healthcare and other issues facing small businesses.

Thompson and Moody met with key policy makers, including Rep. Chet Edwards. They shared their support for reducing health care costs and increasing the accessibility of health insurance for franchised businesses and its employees.

“Our franchisees want to provide health insurance for their employees, but right now it is not affordable,” said Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “Every year, we travel to Capitol Hill to make sure our voice is heard.”

In addition to healthcare reform, they also lobbied for capital access. Moody, vice president of operations for Mr. Rooter Corporation, urged legislators to improve access to Small Business Administration loan programs for small business start-up and expansion.

“We need to see more lending, so franchise businesses like Mr. Rooter Plumbing can continue to thrive, expand, open and provide jobs critical to recovering from these tough economic times,” Moody said.

Thompson and Moody also met with aides for Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Another issue close to Thompson’s heart is the Help Veterans Own Franchises Act. A former marine, she left Sen. Cornyn a note, asking him to be the senate sponsor for this act.

“Having been a veteran who bought a franchise myself years ago, I want to help those returning veterans own a piece of the American dream,” Thompson said. “I see this act as a great opportunity to help increase the level of business ownership by our veterans.”

Along with 450 other franchise leaders across the country, Thompson and Moody were part of the IFA’s 10th Annual Public Affairs Conference.

About Mr. Rooter:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com.

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