Don't gut our health insurance!

Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005
S.1955

Please help get the word out about the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005 S.1955.

Despite the name, this bill--which we prefer to call the "Lose Your Health Care Benefits Bill."--would eliminate state mandates on health insurance companies that protect Americans. Many of the state requirements are particularly important to women, including prescription contraceptives,mammographies, cervical cancer screenings, bone density screenings,maternity care, and minimum hospital stays after mastectomy. This bill would also preempt these health care requirements and would also raise insurance premiums for Americans with complex health needs by lifting most state restrictions on how insurance companies establish premiums. Under S.1955, insurance companies would have the leeway to charge people more based on their age, gender and health status. This would price many out of the health insurance market and could especially burden women, whose health care costs tend to be greater.

Below is a compilation of articles on this issue.

Field/Development Assistant
National Women's Law Center
11 Dupont Circle, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
202-588-5180 tel
202-588-5185 fax
amaytal@nwlc.org

Billings Gazette (MN)

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/03/16/news/wyoming/30-enzi.txt

LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-golden6apr06,1,4779499.column

Reuters

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-03-15T214238Z_01_N15298093_RTRIDST_0_CONGRESS-HEALTH.XML

United Press International

http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060320-072249-2304r

Dayton (Ohio) Daily News

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0325brown.
html

The NewStandard (Internet only)

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/OPINION0101/603070366/1012/OPINION

Scripps Howard News Service - ran at least in Times Record News (TX)

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=HEALTHPOOLS-03-22-06

Commercial Appeal (TN) -- editorial by Sen. Frist

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/editorials/article/0,2845,MCA_25348_4559743,00.html

In these times

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2558

McCook Daily Gazette (NE) - LTE against bill

http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1145811.html

Duluth Weekly (GA)

http://www.theweekly.com/news/2006/March/16/Johnny_Isakson.html

BusinessWeek, appears on web sites for MSNBC and TV stations in:
CA, IA, GA, TX, FL, PA, NM, CT, NV, MI, MD, WA, CO, RI, AL, OK,
WI, IN, MS, NH, NC, OH, NY ....

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/mar2006/sb20060316_204180.htm

The Chattanoogan (TN)

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_82083.asp

Sacramento Bee (CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/14227209p-15050979c.html

April 10, 2006

Tell Senators: "Don't Gut My Health Insurance!"