Your Action Stopped the Enzi Bill

by Mike Hall, May 12, 2006

A little more than a week ago, we asked for your help to put the brakes on a Senate bill that could gut health care coverage for working families across the country. Looks like you and a wide range of health care advocates put the pedal to the metal. Yesterday the Senate blocked that bad bill, at least for now.

Hill insiders who followed the debate say phone calls and messages from senators’ home states helped persuade some wavering lawmakers to maintain their opposition.

S. 1995, known as the Enzi bill for its chief sponsor Sen. Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.), went down in defeat when its backers couldn’t round up enough votes to shut off debate by senators who knew the dangers the Enzi bill posed to health care. There is a chance Enzi may try to breath new life into the bill later this year.

While health care groups like the American Cancer Society opposed the Enzi bill, it was embraced by business interests such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Associated Builders and Contractors.

The bill would have allowed health insurers to bypass state requirements for minimum benefits. It could have eliminated key benefits in coverage, including cancer screenings, contraception, emergency services, mental health care and diabetic supplies.

Every state has written specific health protections into its laws, requiring insurance companies to cover certain necessary services. The Enzi bill would have allowed insurers to jack up prices for services they’re now required to cover—or eliminate coverage for them altogether.

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