MEMORANDUM

Page 1 of 1

To: Coalition Members and Opinion Leaders

From: Dan Perrin

Re: Evolution Benefit’s Capitulation Means Nothing

 

Date: April 14, 2008

1) Here is a link to the letter from Evolution Benefits opposing the HSA substantiation bill. Someone said timing is everything in life, and Evolution Benefits is too late.

2) Evolution Benefits opposition to the bill they initiated is like hitting send on an email, and then trying to retrieve it; or launching a missile with no recall codes. The Democrats are under no obligation to listen to Evolution Benefits. And, their opposition to the bill they asked for does not matter, because the provision is still in the bill, and it is still going to be voted on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as early as tomorrow.

3) Evolution Benefits has popped smoke to cover their retreat (think of it as a smoke screen) simply because they are taking a beating from their business partners and industry colleagues. Evolution Benefits actions will have a material impact on their business since now they as a company are viewed as the enemy by many.

4) The only way the substantiation provision would no longer be in play is if the bill went back to Committee and the substantiation provision was removed. If Evolution Benefits wanted to oppose the bill, the time to do it was prior to the Ways and Means Committee vote.

5) Now that even Evolution Benefits opposes the bill – and no single business or entity in the HSA Marketplace is asking for this, it is an excellent time for everyone with a stake in this bill to contact their member of Congress today and tomorrow and express your strong opposition to this bill.

6) All conversations about opposing this bill within the industry are useful, but the message needs to be focused to Congress for the vote that will occur on H.R. 5719 early this week.