FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Clay Trueman, Executive Director
January 29, 2003
(202) 626-8573 or ltrueman@jeffersongr.com

Coalition Applauds President’s Proposals for the Uninsured

(Washington, DC) -- The Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) supports President Bush’s call for “high quality affordable health care for all Americans,” as mentioned in his State of the Union address last night. In order for Americans to afford quality health care, the President noted the critical importance of everyone having good health insurance. “Clearly, the President is very aware of the 41 million Americans who are without health insurance and we applaud the administration for making this issue a priority," says Laura Clay Trueman, Executive Director of CAHC. The Coalition supports passage of refundable and advanceable tax credits for individuals so that they can purchase health insurance.

Seventeen percent of Americans are without health insurance and most have full-time low-wage jobs. ‘They are the cab drivers, garage attendants, waiters and store clerks that we see every day. Despite their hard work, they fall through the cracks of our current system, making too much money to qualify for government health programs, but often not enough to access employer-based health benefits,” stated Ms. Trueman.

CAHC is optimistic that the 108th Congress will pass legislation to help the uninsured, expanding on the limited tax credit passed last year in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. Already, workers left jobless from negative trade influences can receive a refundable and advanceable tax credit of up to 65% of their health insurance premium. "Many other people who have lost their jobs for other reasons could also be helped by a tax credit similar to the credit included in the trade bill,” said Janet Stokes Trautwein, Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Association of Health Underwriters, a coalition member. Given the bipartisan support tax credits received in the last Congress, CAHC is optimistic that tax credit legislation can be expanded to provide real solutions for more uninsured Americans. “CAHC looks forward to continued work with the Administration and members of Congress on this very important issue,” said Trueman.

If you would like more information on health tax credits or the Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage, please contact Laura Clay Trueman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage at 202-626-8573 or you may visit the website at www.cahc.net.

The CAHC is a diverse collection of organizations representing such diverse sectors as employers (both large, small and the self-employed), health care providers, health insurance brokers and carriers, and consumer advocacy groups. Members include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the American College of Cardiology, the National Association of Health Underwriters, the National Association of the Self-Employed, Healthcare Leadership Council, The American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, The American Campaign for Consumer Choice and Lower Health Costs, Mutual of Omaha, Fortis Health, Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, and The American Legislative Exchange Council.