Durbin Says Illinois Families Should Have Same Access to Health Care as Members of Congress

DURBIN SAYS ILLINOIS FAMILIES SHOULD HAVE SAME ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Senate Republican leadership to allow a vote on his Small Employers Health Benefits Plan Act (SEHBP) during debate on the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (S. 1955).

Durbin and other Senate Democrats spoke at a rally attended by health care advocates from the American Nurses Association, American Cancer Society, the Academy of Pediatrics and representatives from other organizations. These organizations support Durbin's efforts to provide small businesses with access to affordable health insurance and are publicly opposed to S.1955 because it will weaken consumer protections and sweep aside requirements to cover cancer screening, well baby care, immunization, access to specialists and many other needed services.

Durbin said his legislation, which he introduced with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), is modeled after the highly successful Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). FEHBP has offered more than eight-million government employees and retirees, including members of Congress and their staffs, a wide range of private health insurance choices for more than 40 years. SEHBP would give employees of small businesses access to a comparable range of private health plans.

"The model already exists that can help small business owners in Illinois and across the country provide health care to their employees and it's called the Federal Employees Health Benefits program," Durbin said. "FEHBP has worked for 40 years for every member of Congress, and 8 million federal workers. Small business owners and their employees should have the same opportunity."

"What's good enough for members of Congress is good enough for American families," Durbin added.

Durbin said his legislation is supported by health advocates and organizations in Illinois and across the country, including the American Diabetes Association, AARP and the National Mental Health Association because it provides consumers with a wide range of private health insurance choices without weakening state guaranteed coverage.

"The Durbin bill will give small businesses access to comprehensive health insurance options that will cover lifesaving diabetes treatments. It's real insurance that will be there when you need it," said Chicago-area resident and American Diabetes Association State Advocacy Leader, Jim Radermacher.

Gail Wilson, State Director of the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter said, "We applaud Senator Durbin's initiative, the "Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act. This bill is an important and creative solution that can help reduce uninsurance rates among small business employees without jeopardizing important consumer protections that many states, including Illinois, have worked hard to enact."

Durbin warned that S.1955, introduced by Senator Mike Enzi (WY), would eliminate guaranteed protections for many important health needs and allow insurance companies to define benefits packages. According to a study released by Families USA, the Enzi legislation would remove basic health care guarantees for 3,899,000 Illinois residents who currently are covered for a host of basic treatments, including cervical cancer screening, diabetic supplies/education, mammography screening, ovarian cancer screening, prescription inhalants, prostate cancer screening, and TMJ disorders, among others.

"The Bush/Enzi legislation is the wrong medicine for a very serious problem. It will put the insurance companies, not doctors, in charge of health care, will make people worse off and will reduce protection for those already covered," Durbin said.

"Small business owners want to cover health care costs for their employees, but it is becoming more expensive each year. We can make health insurance for small businesses more affordable without slashing benefits or weakening consumer protections by expanding the pool of people protected. What SEHBP will offer is lower rates, greater choices and guaranteed protection," Durbin concluded.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=255322&&