Ask Your U. S. Senators to Take Action on H.R. 525, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, Before the End of this Session of Congress
Legislation permitting small businesses to buy health insurance through Association Health Plans (AHPs) has passed the U. S. House of Representatives and is currently in the U. S. Senate. The intent of H.R. 525, The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, is to lower health insurance premiums. The legislation:
- Establishes rules governing these AHPs including who can participate, benefit options, and contribution rates.
- Allows a certified AHP to exist in a State regardless of any State law that would preclude them and preempts state benefit requirements for AHPs.
- Allows similar groups to form one AHP.
Grange Policy
The National Grange supports H. R. 525. Grange policy is as follows:
Health Care Consumer Protection, Patients’ Rights and Accessibility
…15. The National Grange supports legislation such as “The Small Business Health Fairness Act” or any other legislation that would allow professional associations to offer members group health insurance on a national basis thus making it more affordable.
Action Needed:
Please call or write an e-mail to your two U. S. Senators urging them to pass H. R. 525 before the end of this session of Congress. Please feel free to cut and paste the following sample letter. If you do not know your Senators e-mail addresses please click here to find them.
Dear Senator ___________:
I am writing to urge you to support the passage of H.R. 525, The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005. This legislation, which has passed the U. S. House of Representative and is currently being considered by the U. S. Senate, permits small businesses to buy health insurance through Association Health Plans (AHPs.) The intent of the bill is to lower health care premium costs. The legislation:
- Establishes rules governing these AHPs including who can participate, benefit options, and contribution rates.
- Allows a certified AHP to exist in a State regardless of any State law that would preclude them and preempts state benefit requirements for AHPs.
- Allows similar groups to form one AHP.
Please enact H. R. 525 and provide United States Consumers with the opportunity to lower their escalating health care costs. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)_________________
(Grange name and number) ________________
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If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Director Leroy Watson by e-mail: lwatson@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 114.
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Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative Program.
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