Public Policy Action Alerts
The Business Community is fighting hard to ensure that Congress doesn't pass a government-run health plan that will threaten private health care. As the Business Community we can not support legislative action that would:
Create a Government-run (Public) plan: A government-run plan would be an unfair competitor, with the government acting as both a team owner and the referee. Government programs shift costs to the private sector. The Lewin Group estimates 130 million people would move from private to public insurance. This could lead to a government-controlled single-payer system.
Create Employer Mandates: Punishing employers who cannot afford to provide health insurance coverage, including requirements to pay or play, is not the answer. Employer mandates, by their nature limit flexibility and innovation - the cornerstones of American health care.
Create Minimum Required Coverage Level: Proposing a huge Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)-like minimum coverage package will bankrupt employers and workers. Cadillac, gold-plated coverage like this will not appeal to the young. The minimum level of coverage should be more akin to a high-deductible health plan with coverage of preventative services.
Impose additional tax burdens individuals or businesses: The implementation of new taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals that cannot afford health insurance would be dramatically counterproductive. Further, the taxation of health benefits will lead to a reduction in benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many individuals and businesses.
We're fighting hard against these proposals in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-- but we need you to contact your legislators directly to express your opposition to a "public option" and employer mandates. To learn more about this issue and what you can do to influence decisions in Washington, click here.
Resources:***NEW***
Employer Mandate - "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (PDF)
CBO: Senate Bill Makes 10 Million Employees Lose Coverage (PDF)
Senate Health Care Bill Will Hurt Small Business (PDF)
Senate Bill Fails the Test (PDF)
MRCC Urges you to Speak Up Against Card Check Legislation
We saw who you voted for on November 4! Just kidding. Don't worry - your ballot was secret and your vote was private. But imagine if there was no secret ballot. What would it be like if you had to cast your vote with everybody looking? Not just strangers - but your boss and your co-workers?
Sound un-democratic?
That's because it is. Unfortunately, the Big Labor Unions and liberals in Congress are teaming up to push a bill that would kill the secret ballot in union organizing elections.
Some news reports say this will be one of the first bills introduced when Congress reconvenes in January.
The MRCC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to stop this legislation, but we need your help.
Help fight this legislation by joining the Virtual March on Washington to Save the Secret Ballot or click here to see who is already marching on Capitol Hill to save the secret ballot.
For more information on the Employee Free Choice Act visit www.uschamber.com/wfi.
For questions, contact Travis Bunch, Director of Public Policy at tbunch@minneapolischamber.org.