AHIP Statement on House Passage of H.R. 3962

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Karen Ignagni, President and CEO
of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), released the following statement
today on House passage of H.R. 3962.

"Health plans strongly support comprehensive health care reform, and we have
contributed to this discussion by proposing a complete overhaul of how health
insurance is provided. Earlier this year, we proposed guaranteed coverage,
elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, no longer basing premiums on
a person's health status or gender, and an effective personal coverage
requirement to get everyone covered. We also have proposed far-reaching
administrative simplification reforms that will improve efficiency, reduce
costs, and free up time for physicians to focus on patient care.

"The current House legislation fails to bend the health care cost curve and
breaks the promise that those who like their current coverage can keep it. A
new government-run plan will cause millions to lose their existing coverage
and draconian Medicare Advantage cuts will force millions of seniors out of
the program entirely.

"This bill imposes inflexible mandates before getting everyone covered and new
regulations that duplicate what is already in place at the state level. Many
of these reforms begin in 2010 after employees have already chosen their plans
and contracts have been negotiated. The result will be increased costs and
massive disruptions in the quality coverage individuals and families rely on
today.

"Recent polls have shown that Americans are increasingly concerned about the
impact of rising health care costs. Yet the current health care reform
discussion has, until recently, ignored the cost issue. Without real and
effective measures to bend the cost curve, families and employers will not be
able to afford coverage and health care costs will rise at a rate much faster
than the overall economy is able to sustain.

"Health plans will continue to advocate for bipartisan reforms that cover
everyone, improve quality, and make health care coverage more affordable."

America's Health Insurance Plans -- Providing Health Benefits to More Than 200
Million Americans

SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans

Robert Zirkelbach of America's Health Insurance Plans, +1-202-778-8493