America as we know it was built largely upon and because of our rail industry, and today it remains…
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So-Called "Railway Safety Act" Constitutes a Political Handout to Big Labor That Does Nothing to Improve Safety At All

America as we know it was built largely upon and because of our rail industry, and today it remains a pillar of our economy.

Unfortunately, a destructive proposal before Congress misleadingly named the "Railway Safety Act" (RSA), part of broader surface transportation reauthorization, threatens great harm to our railroads.

Simply put, the bill has nothing to do with improving safety, but has a lot to do with advancing the political agenda of Big Labor.  At a moment when inflation burdens American families and fragile supply chains remain vulnerable to disruption, the last thing our economy or rail sector need is another costly federal mandate imposed upon one of the nation’s most important transportation sectors.

As an initial matter, as noted by The Wall Street Journal, the…[more]

May 20, 2026 • 04:28 PM
CFIF Urges Congress to Reject Rate-Setting As 'Fix' to Surprise Billing Issue Print
By CFIF Staff
Monday, December 07 2020
 
December 7, 2020
 
The Honorable Mitch McConnell  
United States Senate Majority Leader
317  Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C.  20510
 
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader, United States House of Representatives
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
 
Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader McCarthy:  
 
On behalf of the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) and over 300,000 supporters and activists across the nation, I write regarding an issue of utmost immediate importance:  any potential proposal from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to include some iteration of medical rate-setting as part of a negotiating offer to you and the United States Senate in any upcoming coronavirus relief legislative proposal.  
 
CFIF, along with numerous other conservative and libertarian organizations, stands resolute against any such possibility, and urge you and your fellow Senators to dissuade her from even attempting such an offer, and flatly rejecting any such offer that might be forthcoming.  
 
It bears emphasis that CFIF, alongside other organizations, agree that surprise medical billing remains an issue that Congress ultimately must address.  That does not, however, justify counterproductive legislative proposals that enable the government to set payments between providers and health insurers (aka a “benchmark” rate).  
 
Such rate-setting schemes will bring more harm than benefit.  For proof, look no further than California, where similar efforts resulted in higher premiums, a 50% increase in consumer complaints and multiple physician office closures.  
 
To reiterate, although the issue of surprise medical billing merits commonsense Congressional action, any coronavirus relief package offers a totally inappropriate vehicle for medical rate-setting or benchmarking, which is never an acceptable “fix” under any circumstance.  
 
Thank you very much for your attention to this important matter, and please feel free to contact me at your convenience with any questions or comments.  
 
Sincerely,
/s/
Jeffrey Mazzella
President
 
cc: Members of the U.S. Senate
      Members of the U.S. House of Representatives 

 

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