Please note in the letter to your Senators that you have to fill in pertinent information

Senate Bill XXX

A bill has technically not been introduced in the Senate to date. The Senate HELP Committee and Finance Committee will have to merge their proposals together when Finance completes their work.

Detailed talking points are in the materials you've received.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As the owner of (insert store name here), which employs (enter number) in your local communities, I understand the challenges employers face trying to provide their employees health insurance and share your belief that our health care industry needs to be reformed. However, I am concerned with many of the proposals being discussed in the Senate.

I operate in an industry that is extremely competitive with very little difference between a successful grocery store and a failing one. As a whole, the grocery industry operates on an average profit margin of 1.43 percent. Health care spending is a top concern for me as year over year increases pressure already tight margins and makes it challenging to provide competitive and affordable coverage to my employees. We are a very labor intensive industry that relies heavily on our associates to run our stores - these are not jobs that can be outsourced.

I am very worried that many of the proposals being considered seem to impose expensive new mandates and restrictions on employers like [company name] that could actually make it harder for me to provide my employees with the coverage they deserve. I believe reform should focus on how to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency our health care system. Of particular concern is any "pay or play" mandate or additional surtaxes that may cause small businesses like mine that file as an individual to pay for health care coverage twice - once to cover my employees directly either by providing government determined qualified coverage and once in the form of the proposed surtax. These types of policies will threaten my ability to grow my business and create more jobs in our community.

I would be happy to discuss with you the unique challenges I face with providing benefits for my work force as a grocer in your state. Thank you for your continued work towards comprehensive health care reform that will tackle rising costs to all players and improves access and delivery of care.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 31, 2009