The U.S. Chamber's Bruce Josten made the following statement today regarding Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement that he will amend the health care legislation on behalf of Senator Ron Wyden to include a provision which would allow certain employees to demand a cash-out from their employer's health plan. This cash-out would be used to purchase insurance on the government-run exchange and would encourage employees to abandon their employer's plan.

"As the Senate nears its first vote on major health care reform, it now appears that significant last-minute changes have been made – changes which heighten the concerns of the business community. While the scope of this provision is unclear, the CBO examined earlier versions of Senator Wyden's approach and concluded it would gravely undermine the employer-sponsored health benefit system.  We believe that this troubling last-minute change to the Senate bill should require a new examination by the CBO before a vote occurs on the motion to proceed. The public deserves better."