Benefit Solutions, Inc.1210 Sycamore Sq. Dr, Suite 200 Midlothian, Virginia 23113
Phone Number:(804) 379-0909
Fax:(804) 379-5898
Welcome to the Legislative Updates Section!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Benefit Solutions, Inc. believes it is
our obligation to keep the clients and brokers we serve up-to-date on
the latest events currently going on in Washington, D.C. that affect the
services we offer.
Flexible Spending Plans, Health
Reimbursement Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts have gained
popularity as employers try to control costs and advocate
consumer-driven health care. These plans help consumers take control of
their health care, encourage them to ask more questions and shop around
for the best services and products at the most competitive rates.
In an attempt to revamp the health care
industry and reduce the extreme costs, Congress is speeding down the
road toward the enactment of major legislative changes aimed at taxing
these benefit plans.
SERIOUS consideration is being given to
eliminating FSA’s, HRA’s, and HSA’s. In the alternative, a less
destructive plan under consideration will place burdensome limitations
of the usage of these accounts. In addition, there has been some
legislative discussion aimed at eliminating pre-taxing of health
insurance benefits altogether. These are very dramatic changes we need
to BLOCK.
However, some legislators see this as a
way to raise taxes to pay for other portions of their proposed health
care legislation package. Of course they do not call this a “Tax
Increase” but the result would be the same.
From past experience we are all aware
that careful, unbiased analysis is NOT something we can count on. Our
best approach to enlighten our legislators is to encourage a grassroots
effort to provide information on why these plans must remain in place
and not taxed, as well as emphasizing the detriment of ending the
pre-taxing of health insurance benefits. A complex problem such as
national health care cannot be fixed overnight. Instead, a strategic,
step by step approach is in order
We are asking that all our customers
write, call, email and if possible, VISIT their Representatives to let
them know how short sighted and detrimental their approach will be.
I am personally traveling to
Washington, D.C. July 14th and 15th, as part of a larger
group effort to meet with and voice our opinions. We cannot TRUST that
they will listen or consider the implications if we don’t act.
Please get involved and let’s work
together to accomplish reforms that we can all live with.
Thank you in advance for all your help.
Linda Meyerhoffer
Linda A. Meyerhoffer, CPA
President
Links to important Information:
Sample Letter to your Representative
Write Your Representative
Write your Senator