Letter to U.S. House leadership seeks action to address the health needs of the 15 million Americans employed in the nonprofit sector

Click here for PDF of letter:  http://mccollum.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753&Itemid=127

Washington, DC – Over 40 Members of Congress representing 22 states have co-signed Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer calling for the inclusion of nonprofit employers in health care reform legislation.

“The millions of Americans who work in the nonprofit sector must be included in health care reform. The nonprofit sector includes a wide range of organizations, from the Salvation Army to the Red Cross to the local domestic violence shelter, that are all working to improve life for families in our communities.  It’s only fair that nonprofit organizations receive comparable treatment to the small business sector in health care reform legislation. I am encouraged that so many of my colleagues from across the country have joined me in this effort to ensure the benefits of health care reform reach the men and women working for nonprofit organizations,” said Congresswoman McCollum.

Nearly all nonprofit employers face the same escalating health insurance costs as small for-profit employers. Yet, while the House health care bills include provisions to help small for-profit businesses, none of the health care bills under consideration in the House extend reform benefits to nonprofit employees. The nonprofit sector is the fourth largest segment of the American workforce and generates approximately 12 percent of Gross National Product.  Nonprofit organizations deliver vital services to constituents in every Congressional District and work in fields ranging from workforce development and violence prevention to health care and human services.

The letter states, “Nearly all nonprofit organizations are struggling to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.  These mainly small employers experience the same higher costs and limited options as their for-profit, small business counterparts.” 

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) serves on the House Appropriations & Budget Committees.

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