Enzi Legislation Threatens Massachusetts Style Healthcare Initiatives & Women's Rights
In the name of making health insurance more affordable for small businesses (which I think any American would support), the Enzi legislation would very deceptively undercut all state laws regarding minimum coverage mandates. These mandates provide essential consumer protections and many like the pending legislation in Massachusetts are landmark achievements in the battle for reforming healthcare in America.
The New York Times 4/5/06:
the 145-page Massachusetts legislation -- passed by the Democrat-controlled House in a 155-2 vote and unanimously approved by the state Senate -- underscores how states are exploring their own ways of fixing the problem
The Enzi legislation, which could be on the Senate floor in late April, would directly threaten the progress made in Massachusetts.
The Enzi Bill would undercut all of these hard fought state healthcare initiatives in one fell swoop. This maybe the ultimate height of hypocrisy for the Conservative movement in America and its long revered mantra of "State's Rights."
At a time in America when healthcare has reached an unprecedented crisis, states like Massachusetts have worked diligently and passed
a bi-partisan measure to address the issue of uninsured in America via Massachusetts. The bill was put together is the state legislature
passed the House by 155-2 vote and will be signed by Republican Governor Mitt Romney.
Even George W. would admit that is a clear public "mandate."
Yet the Enzi Bill excuse me the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005" would run roughshod over all state regulations concerning healthcare in America. Even if these two laws don't come to a judicial head on collision, the Enzi bill would allow companies to completely undermine this Massachusetts healthcare mandate. Small businesses could simply purchase grossly inadequate plans that would now qualify under the federal guidelines as "acceptable" healthcare coverage.
NO COVERAGE for Diabetes, a host Mental Health afflictions, and even cancer screenings.
To Add Insult to Injury...it Threatens Women's Rights
The magazine In These Times had a eye opening article about the impact of the Enzi Legislation on reproductive rights. Turns out an insert in the legislation would override safeguards that require heath insurance companies to cover the costs of contraception.
And the U.S. Senate is currently considering the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (HIMMAA), a bill introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) that would override state laws requiring health insurance companies to cover contraceptive costs.
My God you talk about wrong headed legislation!
An ounce of prevention comes to mind...
We have to stop this legislation please contact your Senators...ASAP!
U.S. Senate Contact Info
Thanks for caring,
Fulbright