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Protect Health Benefits for Middle Class Working Families
Sign letter opposing Senate Finance Committee’s tax on so-called “high cost” health plans

DEADLINE: NOON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009

Dear Colleague,

This Congress is taking long overdue action to craft an insurance reform package that will improve coverage for millions of Americans, protect families from unfair practices and lower costs.

However, since the unveiling of the Senate Finance health care reform proposal, consideration of an excise tax on so-called “high cost” health care plans has gained attention as a potential revenue stream. The Senate proposal includes a 35 percent excise tax on insurers for plans that exceed certain cost thresholds. Beginning in 2013, the threshold for individual plans will be $8,000 and $21,000 for family coverage.

At present, many middle-income Americans far surpass the proposed thresholds for the excise tax – especially those who have sacrificed pay increases in return for strong benefits packages, or those who live in higher cost states. And, with many of the cost-reducing reforms not scheduled to go into effect in 2015 or even 2018, it is likely that many more will be subjected to the tax in future.

Please join me in sending the attached letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposing the Senate Finance Committee’s proposed excise tax. To sign on to the letter or if you have any questions, please contact Maija Welton on my staff at Maija.Welton@mail.house.gov. The deadline for signing on this letter is NOON on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3.

Sincerely,

/S/
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress