SUPPORT THE LIPINSKI-DOOLEY-THOMAS-FLETCHER
ACCESS AMENDMENT

August 1, 2001

The Honorable Dennis Hastert
The U.S. House of Representatives 
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Hastert:

Recently, Congressmen Ganske, Dingell and Norwood re-introduced their patient's "rights" legislation, H.R. 2563 with the addition of so-called "access" provisions. We believe these provisions will do little, if anything, to address the very real and threatening problem that uninsured Americans face in attempting to purchase affordable health insurance.

The Ganske/Dingell/Norwood bill ignores true reform options that would put small business on equal footing with big business and labor unions when it comes to purchasing health insurance. Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation, as included in the Fletcher bill, would allow small businesses to greatly expand their purchasing clout and economies of scale by banding together across state lines through bona fide trade and professional associations. AHP legislation enjoys bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and allows for common-sense reforms that do not resort to welfare handouts or government mandates that increase health coverage. By simply allowing the market to work, AHPs will provide America's small businesses, which struggle to provide any kind of health insurance to their employees, more affordable options.

In contrast, the Ganske/Dingell/Norwood bill now contains so-called "Health Benefit Purchasing Coalitions" (HBPCs). This half-hearted attempt at increasing access will do virtually nothing to help small businesses afford health insurance. HBPCs do not allow small businesses to operate independent of insurance companies and provide none of the purchasing clout and cost savings that AHPs bring. In addition, state-based purchasing coalitions similar to HBPCs are already in existence and have not been successful in expanding coverage to small business due to excessive regulation and lack of uniformity.

Additionally, the Ganske/Dingell/Norwood proposal to expand Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) neither improves nor truly expands them. H.R. 2563, in fact, makes MSAs merely available for an additional two years and allows employers of up to 100 to participate. These changes fall short of those necessary to expand this important option to more Americans who cannot afford traditional insurance plans.

In contrast, the Lipinski/Dooley/Thomas/Fletcher amendment improves both the workability of MSAs and expands their availability to more Americans. The amendment allows for lower deductibles, for both employers and employees to contribute more to the accounts, and most importantly, it modifies the arbitrary participation limits so that more Americans can participate. Unfortunately, in comparison, the Ganske/Dingell/Norwood bill does little to help expand MSAs as an alternative to encouraging a doctor-patient relationship that is free from HMO interference.

In summary, the Ganske/Dingell/Norwood access provisions do not address the real problem with health insurance - skyrocketing costs - and will do little to help more Americans afford health insurance. Meaningful access provisions are particularly critical given the cost increases expected from enactment of patients' rights legislation and given the consecutive years of double-digit premium increases for small employers. We urge you to support the much-needed Lipinski/Dooley/Thomas/Fletcher amendment.

Sincerely,

American Association of Engineering Societies
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Road and Transportation Builders
Association American Society of Association Executives
 Associated Builders and Contractors Grassroots Impact, Inc.
Hispanic Business Roundtable
Independent Insurance Agents of America
Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - United States of America
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association for the Self-Employed
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Association of Women Business Owners
National Council of Agricultural Employers
National Federation of Independent Business
National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Society of Professional Engineers
Self Insurance Institute of America
The American Council of Engineering Companies
The Latino Coalition
The Professional Golfers' Association of America
Tire Association of North America
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Western Growers Association
Women in Public Policy

(Sample of Letter Sent to
U.S. House of Representatives)