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ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS PRESS CONFERENCE ON H.R. 660 June 10, 2003 Congress should act to reduce the number of those without health insurance in this country. But the Republicans are taking every opportunity to undermine protections in our Nation’s health insurance system and to get the government out of providing and regulating health insurance. The Association Health Plans proposed by Representative Fletcher represent a sure step in the wrong direction. First, rather than reduce the number of uninsured, they will result in more Americans either losing their health insurance coverage, receiving fewer benefits, or experiencing dramatic increases in their health premiums. Consumer, provider, and insurer groups agree -- this is a flawed prescription. Second, consumer protections are removed. Following the scandals of Enron and Global Crossing, one would expect the Congress to be more vigilant regarding possible loopholes and incentives for fraudulent and dishonest activity. On the contrary, this legislation weakens existing protections for consumers. In fact, it eliminates long-standing state laws which set minimum standards for insurance industry conduct and consumer protection. State regulators who protect the public agree -- this is a license to steal. The Republicans clearly plan a busy summer for Congress: beginning to privatize Medicare and undermine the health insurance market for small businesses in June, and moving on to begin the Federal withdrawal from Medicaid, the Nation’s safety net for 50 million Americans, in July. Health care is a collective responsibility -- and, the Federal Government has stepped in to help improve the lives of all Americans. We must resist efforts, such as Representative Fletcher’s proposal, to turn back the clock and to throw the most vulnerable members of society to the tender mercies of the Republican friends in the health insurance industry.
- 30 - (Contact: Jodi Bennett, 202-225-3641) | |
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