OAHU JOINS OTHER OHIO ASSOCIATIONS IN OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC OPTION

Below is a joint letter signed by OAHU and several Ohio business and insurance trade associations in opposition to a public option being included in any federal health care reform legislation that the Congress and President Obama may enact.  The letter was sent yesterday to all of Ohio’s Congressional delegation and our two U.S. Senators, Governor Strickland and all 132 members of the Ohio Legislature.

Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio, Inc. – Ohio Association of Health Plans –
Ohio Association of Health Underwriters – Ohio Chamber of Commerce –                                 
Ohio Grocers Association – Ohio Council of Retail Merchants – Ohio Trucking Association

 

November 30, 2009

The Honorable John Boehner
1011 Longworth Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Congressman Boehner,

We represent businesses of all sizes and can personally attest that the cost of health insurance is simply on an unsustainable upward path.  If Congress does not act, countless more Ohio businesses will be faced with the untenable choice of either providing health insurance to their employees or shedding jobs.  That is a choice that can and should be avoided if practical reforms are enacted by Congress this year.

Reform of our nation’s health care system is a must-do, but we are very concerned that some of the reform measures being considered by Congress will actually have a negative effect on Ohio businesses.  We are especially worried about the potential negative consequences of a public option.

We are strongly opposed to the inclusion of a public option that would unfairly compete with private carriers in the health insurance marketplace.  A government sponsored plan will adversely affect Ohio’s doctors and hospitals and the people they serve.  Ohio already has a difficult time recruiting and retaining family practice physicians and specialists, and a government sponsored plan will only exacerbate this problem as already witnessed by Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements in Ohio.

As you well know, the state of Ohio is experiencing huge budget cuts across the board due to the economic downturn.  If a government sponsored plan is implemented, it will cost the state good quality jobs and revenue at a time when it cannot weather these risks.  With over 100,000 Ohioans employed by the insurance industry, we urge you to carefully weigh the ramifications of a public option on Ohio businesses.

If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact any of us at any time.

Thank you for your attention and consideration to this very important issue.

Sincerely,    

Scott R. Nein Chief Executive Officer Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio, Inc.	Kelly McGivern President and CEO Ohio Association of Health Plans
Stephen C.  Brubaker President Ohio Association of Health Underwriters	Andrew Doehrel President and CEO Ohio Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO Ohio Grocers Association	John  C. Mahaney, Jr. President and CEO Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Larry Davis President Ohio Trucking Association

cc: Governor Ted Strickland
128th Ohio General Assembly Members

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