Boehner
"Care" Bill A Mixed Bag
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 1999
CONTACT: Richard Coorsh
(202) 824-1787
The following statement was released today by Chip Kahn, President of
the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA):
Consumers and employers can take some solace that the "Comprehensive
Access and Responsibility in Health Care (CARE) Act," offered today by
Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), would not saddle them with higher premiums due
to expanded liability. Our nation’s health care dollars should go toward
providing coverage for Americans, and for improving quality – not for
lining the gilded pockets of trial attorneys.
Although Rep. Boehner’s bill prudently lacks liability, it does contain
certain costly mandates and a problematic provision calling for
"Association Health Plans" and "HealthMarts." HIAA opposes Association
Health Plans and HealthMarts because they would undermine – not enhance –
the small employer market by increasing premiums for many, and causing
many of them to drop their coverage because it will become too costly.
On the one hand, Rep. Boehner’s bill lacks liability, and would make
coverage more affordable because it calls for an immediate, above-the-line
deduction for the purchase of individual health and long-term care
insurance. On the other hand, Rep. Boehner’s bill contains expensive
mandates and problematic Association Health Plans and HealthMarts. All
told, Rep. Boehner’s bill becomes a mixed bag of pluses and minuses for
American consumers and employers.
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