For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 05, 2009
AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee Urges Rep. Kosmas to Vote for Health Care Reform
Releases Study Showing Benefits to Area from Bill
Port Orange, FL —AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee today urged U.S. Representative Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) to support the Affordable Health Care for America Act when it comes to a vote in Congress in the coming week. McEntee spoke at a press conference with area labor leaders and activists outside Rep. Kosmas’ Port Orange office.
“Too many Florida families are facing financial ruin because of skyrocketing health care costs,” McEntee said. “Too many families are just one medical emergency away from disaster.”
McEntee released research compiled by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee outlining dramatic benefits health care reform legislation would provide for the people of the 24th Congressional District (see attached report). According to the report, Congresswoman Kosmas’ district had:
- 1,400 health care-related bankruptcies in 2008.
- 12,000 seniors paying the full cost of their prescription drugs because of the Medicare Part D “donut hole.”
- 20 percent of the residents living without any health insurance at all.
The report made it clear that legislation proposed by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi her leadership team in the U.S. House will address these problems.
“The House of Representatives is about to vote on a bill that deserves the support of every member of the Congress,” McEntee said. “It provides a strong public option to compete with private insurance companies to lower costs and improve quality. It encourages employers to do the responsible thing and provide their employees with health insurance. And instead of taxing the health benefits for middle class Americans, with this bill the wealthiest people in the country will pay their fair share,” said President McEntee.
The press conference followed a series of meetings McEntee held with AFSCME members and retirees as part of the AFL-CIO’s national health care day of action. Earlier in the day, President McEntee met with AFSCME members who work for the Volusia School Board at the school bus terminal in Daytona Beach and with AFSCME members at Bethune Point Wastewater Plant. He also spoke with union retirees at a luncheon held at the IBEW union hall in Port Orange.
