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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzy DeFrancis (202) 973-3610 Renae Wagner
(202 973-1376
Republican Health Care Bill Can Cause Harmful Side
Effects
New poll shows public is more concerned with increased costs
and reduced coverage than passing "tougher regulations on
HMOs"
Washington, DC, January 22, 1999 - The Senate Republican
"Patients' Bill of Rights" is a well-intended effort that could have
serious unintended consequences for millions of Americans. While it avoids
the more costly, big government excesses of the Democrats' bill, it still
contains mandates that will only increase health care costs and force many
families and businesses to choose between higher health care premiums or
dropping insurance altogether.
A recent poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies finds eight out of
ten Americans believe the current health care system is meeting their
needs, and Congress should make sure "more people have access to
affordable health care," (82%) rather than making sure that "there are
tougher regulations on HMOs" (14%). Fifty percent (50%) say Congress
should make sure "it does not pass any legislation that would raise the
cost of insurance premiums which could force many Americans and small
businesses to drop their health coverage."
"With health care costs on the rise, and the number of uninsured
growing, we hope Senate Republicans will not compound these problems but
instead work with us to shape health care reforms that help more Americans
afford quality health care coverage."
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The Health Benefits Coalition is a broad-based organization
representing three million employers providing health care coverage to
more than 100 million employees and families. The coalition believes
affordable, quality health care is best achieved through broader coverage,
choice and competition in the marketplace -not government
mandates.
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