WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee is holding a hearing titled, "Health Care Spending in the United States: Unsustainable for Patients, Employers, and Taxpayers." Protecting Americans’ Coverage Together (PACT), a coalition of employer voices dedicated to strengthening the employer sponsored insurance (ESI) system, has been highlighting the work that employers are doing to hold down costs for their workforces. In advance of the hearing, Katie Mahoney, Vice President of Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, made the following statement:
“American businesses are committed to the employer-sponsored insurance model. It provides quality coverage for more than 160 million Americans and remains the best system to adapt to the needs of workers and their families. Medical inflation, however, is creating significant challenges for employers and employees alike. American businesses have been doing what they can to shield workers from these rising costs, but more must be done. We commend the committee for examining this trend and urge lawmakers to embrace market-based tools that employers are using to address the challenge. It is also critical that proposed solutions respect certain principles, like the importance of ERISA preemption. The ESI system will always be the most innovative, responsive way to meet Americans’ health needs, and PACT members remain eager to work with policymakers to protect and strengthen the system for the millions who rely on it."
To watch the hearing, click here.
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The Protecting Americans' Coverage Together campaign is a coalition that includes the U.S Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Vermeer Corporation, The National Association of Manufacturers and Council for Affordable Health Coverage. PACT represents leading employer voices focused on strengthening the ESI system and protecting the coverage and benefits that American families depend on for their health.
