Letter to Rep. Tierney Opposing Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2009

The undersigned organizations are writing to express concern over the re-introduction of H.R. 1322, the "Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2009." As we expressed previously, our organizations share your interest in quality medical coverage for seniors but believe that mandating retiree health benefits will lead only to increased costs and fewer benefits. Moreover, the bill overrides one of the most important principles of ERISA and the employerbased system — the voluntary nature of employee benefits. Changing ERISA in this manner would erode the employer-based system that provides over 100 million people with access to quality, affordable health care …