DALLAS, TX (May 12, 2005) – The Alliance for Affordable Services today endorsed the Health Care Choice Act, introduced by Representative John Shadegg (R-NM) and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), stating the legislation will “give consumers the opportunity to choose the health insurance policy best for them” by allowing insurance companies to sell policies across state lines, while maintaining important consumer protections.

“Our 150,000 members, the majority of which are small business owners or independent contractors, acutely feel the pressures of spiraling healthcare costs,” wrote William Callaghan, Alliance president. “They, like millions of other Americans, know that something must be done.”

Members of the Alliance echoed Mr. Callaghan’s support including Ann Marie Lehman, president and owner of HR Advisors, Inc. who resides in LaGrange Park, Ill.

“My husband and I are both self-employed – I am president of a human resources consulting firm and together, we both own a coin operated car wash. Few things make us more nervous about the future than the rising costs of healthcare,” Lehman said. “Indeed, before we joined the Alliance for Affordable Services – which allows us access to purchase health insurance as members of a large association – we routinely had to make choices that impinged upon the lifestyle we have worked hard to create. Our health insurance premiums were rising 20 to 30 percent every year.

“Even with the insurance we purchase as a member of the Alliance, meeting the expense can be challenging – we have two small children. Thus, we understand completely why the Health Care Choice Act needs to become law.”

Continued Callaghan: “The cost of health insurance coverage can vary dramatically, by thousands of dollars, between states; this is primarily due to the wide range of mandated benefits from state to state. When the Health Care Choice Act becomes law, we know that not only will our members be able to enjoy more options at varying prices, but many of the nearly 44 million Americans who have been priced out of health insurance will be able to afford it.”

The Alliance for Affordable Services is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its members live better and save more. The Alliance uses the power of the group to negotiate significant savings for its members on a variety of benefits. Through its various educational and training tools, the Alliance promotes wellness and individual health practices to both improve the health of its members and lower healthcare costs.

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