Correspondence from Congressman Mica

Dear Mr. Wehrli:

Thank you for contacting me with regard to H.R. 1203, the Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act. It is good to hear from you and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Like you, I understand the benefits of having one's health insurance premiums paid on a "pre-tax basis". As you may know, H.R. 1203 would, amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow federal, civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis and to allow a deduction for Tricare supplemental premiums. As your Representative in Congress, it is important for me to hear your views. Please know that should H.R. 1203 come before the House, I will carefully consider your comments.

Thank you again for your correspondence and please do not hesitate to contact me again with this or any other issue of interest to you.

Cece Dougherty said...

I'm glad Rep. Mica read your letter and answered it. Too often a form letter is returned covering a similar subject but not quite what you wrote about.

AUGUST 22, 2009 1:07 PM

PREMIUM CONVERSION

Two of the three House committees conducting marathon markups health care legislation, H.R. 3200, completed their work this week. This overhaul of health care continues to provide NARFE with a vehicle in which to include our Premium Conversion legislation (H.R. 1203/S. 491).

Use NARFE's Legislative Action Center to easily send a message to your own Representative and both Senators. Control (Ctrl) plus click the following link:

http://capwiz.com/narfe/home/).

Arriving at the Legislation Action Center you will see block that has the words Take Action highlighted at the bottom of block….Click Take Action.

On arriving at a new page, look down the page for Editable Text to the House. You will see a suggest message:

“As a constituent and voter, I ask you to urge House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Charles Rangel, to include H.R. 1203, Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act, in comprehensive health care reform legislation the Committee is currently considering”. You may send the messages as is or change it.

You have a similar message for the two Senators. SIGN YOUR NAME

Fill out the Sender Information. When you identify your home State as Florida plus your zip code the Action Center identifies your Congressman and your two Senators.

All that is left is click on SEND MESSAGE.

NARFE MEETS WITH MICA’S STAFF

Ormond NARFE Chapter 2247 met with Mica’s staff on July 15, 2009 in the Ormond office. Bob Wehrli, President of the Ormond Chapter, presided over the meeting and introduced each member to Mr. Richard Harkey who was standing in for the Congressman. Then Bob read a letter to the group that he asked Mr. Harkey to convey to the Congressman. The letter addressed three issues: Government Pension Offset (GPO), Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), and Premium Conversion. Bob thanked the congressman for Cosigning H.S.235 that would eliminate both the Government Pension offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) on or about March 24, 2009. However, the Bill has to get out of Committee if it is to receive a vote. To that end Bob

requested; that the Congressman urge Chairman Rangel of the House Committee on Ways and Means to take Action and allow the Bill to come before the entire House for a vote.

In like manner Bob asked; the Congressman to Cosign H.R. 1203 which would allow Federal and Military Retirees to use pre-tax earnings to pay their share of the health insurance premiums. He further urged the Congressman to use all in his power to get H.R.1203 out of Committee and onto the House Floor for a positive vote.

Next, eleven members of the Ormond Chapter and one from the New Smyma Beach Chapter provided personalized information as to how the three issues involved them and affect their lives. The members who spoke were: Cece Dougherty, Karen Isaacs, Nick Calvano, John Lowe, Lee Sherman, Pat Berger, Marie Donahue, Geri Wehrli, Sue O’Brien, Don Wasson, and Rose Lauer. Several of these people also provided written material addressing the three issues.

Bob closed by thanking Mr. Harkey for his attention and questions that brought out additional information on the three issues. Pictures were taken but unfortunately there was considerable glare form the sun, so some members sitting by the window are not shown above.