MEDIA ADVISORY

September 9, 2009
PR-09/26
For additional information:
Jason Hammersla:
Office: 202-289-6700
Cell: 202-253-5458

Council staff available to comment on Obama health care address

WHO:	James A. Klein, president, American Benefits Council
WHAT:	In an address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama will spell out his vision for health care legislation that can be enacted before the end of the year. Before or after the speech, American Benefits Council President James A. Klein will be available to provide the perspective from employer sponsors of health plans, which cover more than 100 million Americans. The Council has urged Congress to take a bipartisan approach that emphasizes the strengths of the employer-sponsored benefits system. “The most successful and enduring public policies are those that share broad agreement. We hope President Obama will express support for provisions that can earn bipartisan support,” Klein said. The Council has already prepared a side-by-side chart that notes the most important features for employer plan sponsors in the Senate HELP bill and in the Tri-Committee bill in the House of Representatives. The Council has also prepared a short explanatory document discussing the key features of proposed legislation, emphasizing the importance of a pragmatic, bipartisan approach.
WHERE:	Interviews may be conducted via phone or e-mail.
WHEN:	Any time following receipt of this advisory, including before and after the President’s address. Council office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. At other times, please see the contact information below.
CONTACT:	To speak with Klein following President Obama’s speech, you may contact him at (202) 494-4300 or by e-mail at jklein@abcstaff.org. For interviews during business hours, or to schedule an interview in advance, please contact Jason Hammersla, Council director, communications & publications, at jhammersla@abcstaff.org or by phone at 202-422-4652.

The American Benefits Council is the national trade association for companies concerned about federal legislation and regulations affecting all aspects of the employee benefits system. The Council's members represent the entire spectrum of the private employee benefits community and either sponsor directly or administer retirement and health plans covering more than 100 million Americans.