posted May 18, 2005 08:46 PM              

Urge Congress today to protect your healthcare by stopping
AHPs at http://www.care2.com/go/z/24044

Here's why proposed legislation exempting AHPs from
consumer safeguards puts your family's healthcare at risk:
- Higher Premiums: AHP insurers will raise your rates if
you get sick;
- Unpaid Medical Bills: AHP insurers will not be required
to have cash on hand to make sure your claims can be
paid;
- Rejected Claims: AHP insurers will not allow you to
appeal when they deny a claim;
- Limited Benefits: AHP insurers will restrict essential
healthcare services for consumers, including OB-GYN
choice and mandatory mammogram coverage for women; and
- Poor Management: AHP insurers will report, on a limited
basis, to the ill equipped U.S. Department of Labor.
- According to the Congressional Budget Office, 20 million
employees and dependents would face rate increases, and
as many as 100,000 of the sickest people would lose
coverage entirely if AHPs are allowed to operate
outside of state consumer protection laws.

Can America really afford healthcare without security and
the most basic consumer protections?

Please sign this petition at http://www.care2.com/go/z/24044
to send a letter today opposing Association Health Plans,
and tell Congress healthcare without consumer protections
is healthcare that hurts.

Thank you for acting today,