Real Health Care Reform – The Time is Now
June 09, 2009
Last week, AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee and several other union presidents met with Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT). The Finance Committee is one of the two Senate committees that are writing this year’s health care reform legislation. President McEntee stressed to Sen. Baucus AFSCME’s strong opposition to capping the current tax exclusion for employees’ health care benefits, and our union’s commitment to choice in a reformed system, including a public health insurance plan option.
On Saturday, President Barack Obama used his weekly address to call for real health care reform, saying that fixing what is wrong with our current system is "a necessity we cannot postpone any longer." In addition, the President sent a letter on June 2 to Senators Baucus and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) reaffirming the need to move forward on reform which builds on employer-based coverage and includes a choice of options, including a public health insurance plan.
From the letter:
“I strongly believe that Americans should have the choice of a public health insurance option operating alongside private plans. This will give them a better range of choices, make the health care market more competitive, and keep insurance companies honest.”
The President called for Congress to complete its work on health care reform so that it could be signed into law by October. Obama also emphasized the need to make health care coverage affordable and reiterated his support for proposals requiring employers to share in the costs of health care coverage.
The White House Council of Economic Advisers also issued a pivotal report, "The Economic Case for Health Care Reform," explaining why health reform is vital for the future of the American economy. The detailed and in-depth report noted that without health care reform, American workers and families will continue to experience eroding health care benefits and stagnating wages caused by the pressure of escalating health insurance premiums.
In addition, increases in Medicare and Medicaid spending will lead to further strain on federal and state budgets. With reform that makes health care more affordable and expands coverage, a typical family of four would see their income increase by approximately $2,600 in 2020 (in 2009 dollars) and by nearly $10,000 in 2030, compared to their income without reform.
AFSCME is leading the charge for real health care reform that provides quality, affordable health care for all. Learn more at www.makeamericahappen.com.
