Coalition of Business Groups Asks Congress Not To Pass Patients’ Rights, Mental Health Parity Measures

The Health Benefits Coalition, a group of insurance companies and business executives, on May 15 asked Congress not to pass patients' rights and mental health parity legislation, or "any other bill that would increase health insurance premiums," CongressDaily/AM reports (CongressDaily/AM, 5/16). The group, whose members include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Benefits Council, also on May 15 released the results of a poll indicating that 70% of Americans "want Congress to reduce the cost of health care," while 22% favor "increasing insurance benefits" (Montgomery, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 5/16). The poll of 1,006 American adults, conducted between May 10 and 13 by Wirthlin Worldwide, also found that 34% of respondents said health care costs are the "most important" health care issue Congress should address this year. The "lack of health insurance" was cited by 19% of respondents, and prescription drug costs by 17%. "Cost is the number-one concern of Americans and American voters when it comes to health care. They don't want Congress to make a bad situation worse," Dan Danner, chair of HBC and vice president of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said. The coalition is buying advertisements and has launched a Web site, www.notonemoredollar.org, to publicize its message (CongressDaily/AM, 5/16).