TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. SENATE:
The Chamber has long been committed to preserving and improving theemployer-sponsored health care system while also ensuring that those outside theemployer-based system have access to multiple, affordable options for coverage.While the employer-sponsored system continues to grow and innovate, otherinsurance markets are deteriorating under the burdensome costs and requirements ofthe Affordable Care Act (ACA). In particular, the individual insurance markets are onthe verge of collapse, premiums are skyrocketing, and, in many parts of the country,patient choice is dwindling or disappearing altogether.Senate passage of BCRA is a crucial step in the process to reform these failingmarkets. It will provide millions of Americans outside of the employer-based systemwith more options for coverage at lower costs.Further, the bill includes the following key provisions, which the Chamberstrongly supports:• The BCRA will repeal the most egregious taxes and mandates of theACA, which will help lower the cost of health care coverage and allowemployers to create jobs. The bill repeals the medical device tax thatunfairly penalizes American manufacturers, and zeros out the employermandate penalties.• The bill would help stabilize the fragile individual insurance markets byinfusing states with more funding and empowering them with greaterflexibility. In addition to providing critical funding for the Cost SharingReduction program for two years, the bill provides significant fundingover multiple years explicitly for states to utilize to best serve theirindividual market and help their consumers. This “laboratory-ofdemocracy”approach offers the best opportunity to bring downpremiums, promote consumer choice, and reduce patients’ out-of-pocketcosts.• Finally, the bill would help preserve the employer-sponsored health care system that 177million Americans depend on for quality coverage. It eases limitations and restrictions ontax preferred accounts funded by employers and individuals to help pay for health careservices and items. It also allows employers to offer greater variation in benefits toemployees.While the Chamber recognizes that further improvements can—and must—be made,passage of this legislation is vital to restoring choice, flexibility, and innovation to America’shealth care markets and growth to our economy.The Chamber looks forward to working with Congress, the Administration, and otherstakeholders to make progress on these and other badly needed health care reform priorities.Beyond the essential policy changes that this legislation would advance, this bill must also bepassed so Congress can move on to other national priorities, including tax reform andinfrastructure proposals.We urge you to vote for the Better Care Reconciliation Act and help significantly improvehealth care in America.Sincerely,Jack HowardSenior Vice PresidentCongressional and Public Affairs
