Keep Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Front and Center
Health care reform continues to be in the nation’s spotlight. That’s because we know to fix the economy, health care needs to be fixed first. Last week the U.S. House introduced a tri-committee bill that focuses on what working people need most in health care reform:
- A public health insurance option.
- A requirement that employers pay their fair share.
- Cost-relief enabling Pre-Medicare retirees to maintain their coverage.
- A provision making sure that the costs of health care system reform are borne by those who can best afford it.
Speak out today: Send a message to your representative in support of real health care reform. The time is critical to voice your opinion to your elected officials. Need help finding who to call? Click here and type your zip code to find your Congressperson.
The bill is also called America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
Union members know how to step it up in Minnesota as seen by the incredible amount of effort put into Labor 2008. We now have the opportunity to ask elected officials we helped get into office to support working families and vote for health care reform that will create quality, affordable health care we can all count on. How are you going to help put the pressure on so we get health care reform now?
Tony St. Michael out of the Western Area Labor Council, BCTGM member, Northern Plains Area Labor Council President, and MN AFL-CIO Director, has been getting the word out about the public option in local newspapers. The Fargo In Forum featured his piece on July 19 and the Grand Forks Herald liked it so much, they ran it twice!
Hundreds of union members made a phone call to their Senator (we had just one at the time) on June 25 for the national rally and lobby day for health care reform. Laura Askelin, SE Area Labor Council President went to D.C. and you can read about her trip here. Her letter to the editor was published July 22 in the Rochester Post Bulletin.
Materials are available from your union and area labor council. They can give you talking points, direct you to e-activist sites that let you send a letter to your elected officials with the click of a button.
Don't forget to call-in on Tuesday, July 28 to 1-877-264-4226. You can use the bulleted talking points above to guide your call. Download the flier and share with your local.