Signatures Double on U.S. Chamber Health Care Letter

3,159 Businesses, National Associations, and Chambers of Commerce Call on Congress to Reform Health Care without Jeopardizing Those Currently Insured

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today re-sent a letter to Members on Capitol Hill after doubling signatures from local chambers of commerce, associations, and small businesses from all 50 states. 3,159 businesses, chambers, and associations expressed concern with the current health care proposals being considered in the House of Representatives and Senate HELP Committee and called on Congress to enact reforms that improve the health system without jeopardizing those who currently have coverage.

"Businesses across the country are increasingly concerned with legislation in Congress that would increase health care costs," said Bruce Josten, executive vice president of Government Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Health care reform is critically important but we cannot afford to make things worse in a partisan exercise."

The letter outlines the business community's dedication to improving the nation's health care system. It explains how current legislation "would not improve the system, but jeopardize the parts of the system that currently work." It then outlines the three major concerns which include: a government-run plan that would increase costs and limit choice; an employer mandate that would kill jobs and lower wages; and a lack of any real effort to lower health care costs and "bend the cost curve."

The Chamber believes that the nation's health care system can be reformed with a simple three-pronged approach.

1. The costs of health care must be reined in through an "all of the above" strategy that incorporates dozens of bipartisan reform ideas.
2. The insurance system must be revamped to eliminate the use of pre-existing conditions, guarantee issue of coverage, and ensure fairness in premium costs.
3. A national, streamlined marketplace should be formed through a connector or exchange that makes shopping for health insurance simple.

A copy of the letter is available at: /chambers/090728_healthcare

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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