Date:_________________

The Honorable _______________________________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative ________________________________,

            I am writing today as a concerned constituent to ask that you co-sponsor H.R. 1322, the Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act, and H.R. 6143, the Pension Protection Act ERISA Amendments of 2008.  The bipartisan H.R. 1322 prohibits companies from making post-retirement reductions of earned retiree health benefits.  H.R. 6143 provides important retiree protections including provisions from H.R. 1322.

            Your support of these bills is critical to retirees all across this country, especially in light of the EEOC ruling that allows companies to cut supplemental health coverage to retirees age 65 and over.
 
            As a cost-cutting measure, some corporations have resorted to canceling or reducing earned retiree health care coverage and many more are considering doing the same.  These benefits were earned by employees and were considered part of the employees' total compensation package.  Continued health benefits in retirement was a strong incentive for many to stay with their employer for years of service.

            The financial reality of providing health care coverage is also considered in both bills.  They ensure that employers are not burdened with a cost they cannot afford or that does financial harm to the company by including the ability for companies to apply for an exemption if they feel compliance would be a substantial hardship.  Most importantly, both bills ensure that employers meet their obligations to their long-time employees who earned those benefits through years of dedicated service.

            I urge you to support this important legislation.  Please call Rep. John Tierney's office at (202) 225-8020 to cosponsor H.R. 1322 and Rep. Rob Andrews' office at (202) 225-6501 to co-sponsor H.R. 6143.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Name:________________________________________

Address:______________________________________

City, State ZIP__________________________________

Phone:________________________________________

Email:________________________________________

Union Affiliation:_______________________________