Oppose Health Care Taxation

Level of Government: Federal

As one of the over 600,000 members of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), I am writing to urge you to oppose any health care reform legislation that includes a plan to tax employer-provided health benefits in order to fund reform. While it is imperative that congress pass health care reform this year it should not be at the expense of already struggling middle class families.

By capping or eliminating the tax exclusion for employer sponsored health benefits, Congress would unfairly penalize many public employees who have forgone salary increases for the long-term security of a comprehensive health plan. Taxing benefits would also remove the incentive for employers to provide coverage thus forcing employees to move to a less inclusive plan and would undermine the quality of coverage for employees and produce financial burden for the average family.

Instead Congress should work towards health reform that guarantees a choice of plans and providers through a private health insurance plan and a government sponsored public health insurance plan option. By including a choice of plan, public employees should be able to choose - without consequence - a plan provided through their employer.

I hope that you will continue to work with your colleagues to support health care reform that ensures every person in America has quality, affordable health care coverage.

In solidarity,

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