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Release Date: February 17, 2006
Release Number: 06-302-DAL
Contact Name: Gloria Della/David James
Phone Number: 202.693.8664/202.693.4676
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - U.S. Assistant
Secretary of Labor Ann L. Combs spoke to members of Women Impacting
Public Policy (WIPP) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, today to highlight the
Bush Administration’s priorities to make healthcare more affordable
for American workers, retirees and their families.
“The rising cost of health care is on everyone’s
minds these days,” Combs told the audience. “President Bush’s
agenda to put the consumer back into the equation in health care will
dramatically change the market and lead to better price transparency and
competition – driving health care costs down. The President strongly
supports legislation to create Association Health Plans to improve
access to affordable, quality healthcare for Americans.”
Association Health Plans - benefit arrangements
offered through industry associations - would allow small businesses to
enjoy the same advantages, administrative efficiencies and negotiating
clout enjoyed by big businesses and labor unions.
Combs also discussed the Administration’s proposals
to increase access to affordable, quality health care through the use of
Health Savings Accounts, tax-favored savings accounts used in
conjunction with a consumer-directed, high-deductible health plan.
For more information about the Administration’s
health initiatives, visit the Labor Department’s Web site at
www.dol.gov/ebsa.
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