Republican bill massive giveaway to insurance industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 24, 2006

Contact:     Joanna Kuebler, communications director (440-281-2398)
Ben Wikler, press secretary (440-986-0001)


REPUBLICAN BILL MASSIVE GIVEAWAY
TO INSURANCE INDUSTRY


BROWN SAYS MEASURE WOULD DEVASTATE OHIO FAMILIES

CINCINNATI, OH -- Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today joined
with Councilwoman Laketa Cole, health care experts, and area residents at
the Lincoln Heights HealthCare Connection to speak out against legislation
approved by the Senate that would threaten health care coverage for more
than 3 million Ohioans.

S. 1955 -- known as the "Enzi" bill -- passed the Senate earlier this month.
Supported by Ohio Republican Senator Mike DeWine, the bill would override
Ohio laws ensuring coverage of critical health care.

"This bill is part of the pay-to-play system plaguing Washington," Brown
said. "The drug industry wrote the disastrous Medicare Part D program, and
oil companies wrote an energy bill sending home heating bills through the
roof. Now the insurance industry wants its turn at the trough."

Families USA, a national health care advocacy group, called the Enzi
legislation one of the "most harmful anti-consumer bills in recent memory."

The bill would allow health insurers to drop coverage for health care needs
including:

Maternity care; breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer screenings;
kidney dialysis; physicals, immunizations and other basic health care for
children; mental health treatment; emergency care; and diabetic supplies.

Opposed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the bill
also would affect employer-paid health care premiums. According to Families
USA, insurers would be able to charge Ohio small businesses as much as 50
percent more for premiums if some workers are in less-than-perfect health.

Ohio small businesses also would be subject to limitless premium increases
based on worker sex, age, or other demographic factors.

"We need legislation that will help employers and workers afford health
care, not divert billions in tax dollars to industry coffers," Brown said.
"And we can do that by curing Washington of its addiction to insurance
industry money."

Brown, who is running for the United States Senate against Mike DeWine,
co-wrote legislation that would help Ohio small businesses afford health
care through tax credits, and enable them to buy into the Federal Employee
Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

"2006 is about change in Ohio," Brown said. "Do you stand up for Ohio
families, or do you succumb to the temptations of Washington lobbyists and
the insurance industry? Ohioans know where I stand."