Thank you for your supportive comments regarding H.R. 1322, the Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act.  I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Please know that I was proud to introduce this legislation, which seeks to ensure that companies honor commitments they make to their retirees.  As you well know, for too long individuals like you have been denied health care benefits that they were promised upon retirement due to the lack of strong laws in this area.  Although retirees lived up to their end of the bargain during years of hard work, the companies have not held up their end.  H.R. 1322 will prevent companies from using loopholes to renege on promises and jeopardize the life savings of people who are forced to dip into their living expenses in order to make up for cut or cancelled health benefits.

You may be pleased to know that 96 of my colleagues joined me as co-sponsors of this piece of legislation in the 107^th Congress.  Unfortunately, this bill never reached the House floor.  As the 108^th Congress begins, I continue to gather support for H.R. 1322.  I will continue to work toward passage of H.R. 1322 and appreciate knowing of your enthusiasm for the bill.

In the event that you wish to share your views on this important issue with your representative, Barney Frank, I have provided his contact information below:

Representative Barney Frank
Rayburn 2252
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5931

Again, thank you for contacting me.  Please feel free to do so again regarding any issue of concern to you.