The House of Representatives - which passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, over the weekend - is the result of the combination of each of the three committees' individual Health Care Reform proposals.
As you know, ProtectSeniors.Org has been working very hard to ensure that the provisions of H.R. 1322 were included in any Health Care Reform Bill voted on by Congress.
As such, we are happy to share that H.R. 3962 includes language protecting retiree Health Care coverage similar to that in H.R. 1322.
Specifically, the bill bars employers from making reductions to the Health Care Benefits of its retirees unless the same reductions are made for active employees, a move that would be unlikely as companies seek to remain competitive and attract a high-quality workforce.
The bill also includes a provision establishing a $10 billion Reinsurance Program for Retirees that would assist employers in providing health benefits to their retirees.
While we're pleased that millions of retirees that currently have coverage through their former employer will be afforded these protections, we realize that there are many retirees who will not be helped by this bill as it does not restore the benefits of those retirees who have already suffered reductions or cancellations of their earned benefits.
ProtectSeniors.Org will continue to work for the passage of legislation that will ensure all retirees are protected and can maintain the health benefits they earned.
We would like to thank all of our active supporters who helped get the attention of Congress and made sure retirees were included in Health Care Reform.
ProtectSeniors.Org's grassroots supporters like you have sent almost 30,000 messages to Congress this year and we believe this was extremely important in getting such language into the Health Care Reform Bill.
However, this process is far from over.
The Senate will pass its own version of a reform bill and that will have to be reconciled with this House version before it is sent to President Obama.
We will remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain the House bill's language at each step.
