Real Health Care Reform. Nothing Less.
October 14, 2009
AFSCME and more than two dozen other unions have a full page ad in today's Washington Post, Politico, Roll Call and The Hill newspapers in response to the Senate Finance health care bill that was voted out of committee yesterday. The ad will also appear tomorrow in USA Today.
The ad reads in part:
For all Americans, it’s great news that we are closer than ever to winning comprehensive health reform that brings down costs, improves the quality of care and guarantees coverage for all—something so many have dreamed about and worked for a lifetime to achieve. Good, affordable health care is an economic and moral imperative. Those who are just saying “No” will be called to account for it.
But we aren’t there yet. The Senate Finance Committee bill is deeply flawed.
Real health care reform. Nothing less.
- A public health insurance plan option is essential to reform.
- Health care reform has to ease the cost burden on individuals and families, not worsen it.
- Employers have to pay a fair share of costs.
- Health care can’t be paid for by a new tax on middle class benefits.
AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee also issued this statement following the Senate Finance Committee’s vote on health care reform legislation:
“The Senate Finance Committee bill remains deeply flawed. At a time when family budgets are already under enormous pressure, the bill does not ensure that coverage will be affordable for average families. Moreover, it would finance health care reform with a tax on family health care plans. Unlike the Senate HELP bill, the Finance Committee failed to include the choice of a public option to provide real competition in the health insurance marketplace. It also fails to require employers to provide health coverage for their employees or contribute a meaningful sum to help pay for subsidies. Senate leaders must make major improvements in the bill before it moves to the floor of the U.S. Senate.”
