Disappointments Pile Up

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to find out what is in the health care bill, the disappointments pile up.

The publication ``Politico'' reported on June 8, ``Part of the health care overall due to kick in this September could strip more than 1 million people of their insurance coverage, violating a key goal of President Barack Obama's reforms.''

These limited benefit plans provide insurance to part-time workers and retail and restaurant employees. The plans are called mini-med plans. They are priced low to impose a maximum on insurance payouts in a year and to restrict the number of covered doctor visits, according to the article. The current health care reform would prohibit these plans because there is a ban in the law on annual caps.

Employer and trade associations, like 7-Eleven, the National Restaurant Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have asked that these low-cost plans be allowed to continue despite the law. In their letter, these groups explain that if the ban is strictly implemented, this population would likely be left with no coverage until 2014. We are talking about 1.4 million people who will not be allowed to keep their present insurance.

So much for promises.

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