Tax FEHBP Benefits?

Congress and the Obama Administration have designed the major health care bills with the twin goals of cutting costs and covering the uninsured. The intention has been to leave those who already have health insurance unharmed and, if possible, to enact reforms that will lower health care cost inflation into the future. The House's "Affordable Health Care for America Act" achieves both goals. The Senate's "Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act" that taxes premiums above a certain level does not.

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I am writing to you to urge your support for genuine health care reform legislation and express concern about some provisions in the new Senate bill.

It's crystal clear that the rising cost of health care and health insurance is creating economic problems for most Americans at a time when they can ill afford it. That is why it is so important not to pay for health care reform on the backs of working families. Unfortunately, the Senate bill in its current form does just that. The excise tax on health plans in the Senate bill will be passed onto employees in the form of lower benefits or higher premiums. Additionally, it will discriminate against workers in high-cost states, in industries with older workers and in more dangerous jobs. These workers will be penalized because they have to pay more for the same basic health care we all expect out of a decent plan.

It is absolutely critical to pass effective health care reform legislation. But we don't need just any reform. We need reform that makes health care more affordable and accessible for everyone without adding to current economic hardships. That's why I ask you to help ensure that the final health care legislation isn't funded on the backs of working families through taxes on benefits, that it includes a strong public health insurance option to help bring down costs and increase options and that it guarantees employers will pay their fair share by providing coverage or paying into the system.

Please join us in supporting health care reform that doesn't punish working families.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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