Dear friend,

The time is now for comprehensive health insurance reform in our country. Millions of Americans are uninsured, and our health care costs continue to skyrocket. Working families deserve quality, affordable health care that is accessible to all. Opponents of health insurance reform have been spreading misinformation lately in order to stall the debate. However, we are closer now than ever to achieving real reform, so Members of Congress must continue to hear our message loud and clear - that we can't wait any longer!

The America's Affordable Health Choices Act, or H.R. 3200, is a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that will provide the reforms so desperately needed for this nation's health care system. The bill includes a public plan option, which will compete with private insurance companies, with the goal of forcing them to keep their costs reasonable. Americans will be able to compare the price and quality of different plans, and if you like your current plan, you can keep it. The uninsured and insured would both benefit from a public plan being available - the uninsured would have an affordable option for health care and those who already have insurance would realize a savings as health care costs are contained.

H.R. 3200 includes other important provisions, such as the "pay or play" employer mandate. Employers will be required to either provide health care coverage for employees or pay their fair share into a pool. Health care benefits that are provided by employers would not be taxed. The Teamsters oppose any kind of taxation on benefits, whether it is on the worker, employer, or insurance company. And under H.R. 3200, insurance companies would no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

Members of Congress need to hear from us on this critical issue as they soon prepare to head back to Washington. Please take the time today to send an e-mail to your Representative asking that he/she vote 'YES' on H.R. 3200 and to your Senators asking that they stand up for health insurance reform and support legislation in the Senate with a public option and other reforms included in H.R. 3200. We cannot wait any longer - the time for quality, affordable health care for everyone is now!

Subject: Please Stand Up for Health Insurance Reform

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As your constituent, I urge you to take a stand for health insurance reform and vote 'YES' on H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act, which would provide the changes that our nation's health care system so desperately needs - quality, affordable health care that is accessible to all.

The public plan option created by H.R. 3200 would compete with private insurance companies, with the goal of forcing them to keep their costs reasonable. Therefore, the uninsured and insured would both benefit - the uninsured would have an affordable option for health care and those who are already insured would realize a savings as health care costs are contained.

I am also in favor of the "pay or play" employer mandate included in H.R. 3200. Employers should be required to either provide health care coverage for their employees or pay their fair share into a pool. However, we must not tax benefits that are provided by employers, as this will end up being a tax on the worker. I oppose any kind of taxation on health care benefits, whether it is a tax on the worker, employer, or insurance company. H.R. 3200 does not include any such taxation provision.

Again, I urge you to please vote 'YES' on H.R. 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act. The time is now for real, meaningful health insurance reform - we cannot wait any longer!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]