FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzy DeFrancis (202) 973-3610
Renae Wagner
(202 973-1376
"HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE RISING...DON'T MAKE IT WORSE"
New Ads Launched vs. Patient "Protection" Bills
Washington, DC, February 12, 1999 - Faced with already rising health care costs, employers are speaking out against federal legislation - such as the Kennedy-Dingell Patients' Bill of Rights - that would raise costs even more for businesses and their employees. Business owners nationwide are featured in new radio ads running during the February congressional recess as part of the Health Benefits Coalition's ongoing efforts to educate Congress and the public about the unintended consequences of big-government mandates on America's health care system. (Ad attached)
"These are real people, with real concerns," stated Dan Danner, chairman of the Health Benefits Coalition. "Employers, who voluntarily provide health care coverage, are worried that they and their employees will be priced-out of health insurance if Washington passes costly new mandates this year."
"Our insurance costs already went up this year. That made it even harder to provide coverage for my employees. I'm not asking for Congress' help. But the least they can do is not make things worse," states an employer in one ad.
U.S. employers face a predicted 7-10% rise in health care costs in 1999 - nearly three times as much as 1998 and the biggest increase in seven years (William Mercer, Inc.). For small businesses the impact is even greater - in some cases increases of 20% or more. Federal mandates on top of these increases - plus the threat of being sued for medical malpractice - would make it impossible for many businesses to offer coverage, or for many employees to afford it.
The radio ads point to further cost increases resulting from the Kennedy-Dingell bill, "There's a new bill in Congress - Ted Kennedy's Patients' Bill of Rights. No, it won't provide insurance to 43 million uninsured Americans. No, it won't make insurance cheaper. Instead, it increases costs by more than $200 per family and leaves two million more uninsured."
"With three out of four working Americans receiving their health care coverage through their employers, the last thing Congress should do is pass legislation that drives up health care costs even more - threatening America's employer-based health care system," stated Danner.
Ads will be running in the following media markets: Cincinnati, Memphis, Tampa-St. Pete, Richmond, Wilmington and Lafayette, LA.
# # #
:60 RADIO
"THE LEAST THEY CAN DO"
(with music sting and music under)
SBO: I’m Steve Lippert. Ever since my great-grandfather started Hamilton Caster in Hamilton, Ohio, we’ve tried to treat our employees like family. Take health insurance. I’d never risk my family’s health without insurance, and our employees deserve the same. So, we provide coverage, despite the high cost. But now, some in Washington want to make it even more expensive.
ANNCR: There’s a new bill in Congress —Ted Kennedy’s Patients Bill of Rights. No, it won’t provide insurance for 43 million uninsured Americans. No, it won’t make insurance cheaper. Instead, it increases costs by more than $200 per family* and leaves two million more people uninsured.**
SBO: Our insurance costs already went up this year. That made it even harder to provide coverage for our employees. We’re not asking for Congress’ help. But the least they can do is not make things worse.
ANNCR: If you think health insurance already costs too much, call Congress today at 1-800-384-7023 and tell them to vote against the Kennedy Bill, 1-800-384-7023.
Paid for by The Health Benefits Coalition
*Towers Perrin – Average 1999 health care costs per family is $5,652
CBO – analysis of the Kennedy-Dingell Patients’ Bill of Rights estimates a 4% annual increase
**The Barents Group, 1998
