Sample Letter to Members of the U.S. House Representatives
Date
(Name of Representative)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative:
I am writing in strong opposition to the misnamed America's Affordable Health Choices
Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200) because this legislation will increase health care costs,
reduce access to affordable coverage and increase taxes on small businesses. I strongly
urge you to vote against this legislation and speak out against it.
I support Congressional action for legislation that contains true reforms that will
control health care costs and expands access to affordable coverage for all Americans.
However, H.R. 3200 takes the wrong approach by relying almost completely on government
mandates and programs rather than reforming the private market and thus will greatly
exacerbate the problems in our health care system. Also, H.R. 3200 will raise taxes
on those with the most difficulty in purchasing health insurance—small businesses—that
are our nation's primary job creators; this will greatly hinder our nation's recovery
from the current recession.
The "pay-or-play" employer mandate in H.R. 3200 would force employers to provide
a designated level of coverage to employees or face a penalty of up to 8 percent
of payroll. This mandate will be devastating to employers who are struggling to
stay in business through the current economic downturn and likely will result in
thousands of job losses.
To lower health care costs, we need greater competition and transparency in the
private insurance market. However, the government-run health plan in H.R. 3200 will
destabilize the current private system and inevitably shift costs to the private
sector in inefficient ways, which will hurt both affordability and quality.
The $544 billion income tax surcharge in H.R. 3200 will greatly reduce after-tax
profits of many small businesses at a time when entrepreneurs are struggling to
find access to capital to sustain or expand their businesses.
Again, I strongly oppose H.R. 3200 and urge you to vote against this harmful legislation.
Thank you for your consideration of my views on this matter of utmost importance.
Sincerely,
Name