Johanns, Nelson Health Care Law Amendments on 1099 Fail

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) expressed concern on Wednesday in the wake of the vote on the Johanns amendment. Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs for NAMIC, said in a statement, "Only in Washington would you find the twisted logic that rejects the Johanns amendment, which provides a clear benefit to businesses and charities, from a bill designed to provide relief for small businesses."

Prevention Institute expressed gratitude at the defeat of the Johanns amendment, calling it a "victory for prevention." In a statement, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said, "Today the Senate voted to block an attack on the Prevention Trust Fund–an attack that represented the same old penny-wise-pound-foolish thinking that now makes America's health care system so costly and ineffective."

The Prevention Institute cited statistics in favor of retaining the Prevention and Public Health Fund: "Medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent. Workplace wellness programs have long-term health and cost-saving benefits, saving one company $4.8 million in employee health and lost work time costs over nine years."