Change to Win Pushes for Real Action on Health Care

Union Members Mobilizing to Call for Solutions to the Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 19, 2007

Contact: TJ Michels
(202) 721-6061
tj.michels@changetowin.org

WASHINGTON, DC - With a new Congress in session and the start of the presidential campaign season, the seven major unions of the six-million strong Change to Win are stepping up grassroots efforts and calling for partnerships in the political arena to push for quality, affordable health care for all.

Change to Win Chair Anna Burger today sent Congress a letter detailing a set of principles on comprehensive health care reform and urged leaders in both parties to work with unions, employers, providers and other stakeholders to solve the national crisis that has left 47 millions uninsured, and millions more underinsured.

"Skyrocketing costs are the most pressing threat to American families, our communities, and the ability for U.S. businesses to compete in the 21st century," Burger said in the letter. "Union members will be a key element to reforming our system to meet the realities of today's economy."

Change to Win's principles for creating an American health care system built on our nation's values:

  1. Guaranteed Coverage: Everyone should have access to quality affordable health care.
  2. Guaranteed Benefits: A standard health care benefit should meet people's medical needs.
  3. Fair Financing: The health care system should be broadly and fairly financed.
  4. Strong Cost Controls: Our health care system should be efficient, reduce waste and curb excessive profits.
  5. Choice of Provider: Everyone should have a choice of doctors and other health care providers.
  6. Quality of Care: Substantial investments are needed to improve patient safety and health care outcomes and to control costs. 
  7. Role of Government: Government should be the watchdog and the enforcer of rules, and it should efficiently manage public insurance plans.
  8. Privatized High-Deductible Plans Are Not the Answer: A comprehensive solution to our health care crisis is required.

"Workers want action on health care now," said Burger. "Our members are ready to work with our employers and leaders from both parties to fix our broken system."

Recent polls confirm that a majority of voters also want their new leadership to take immediate action on economic issues like health care. When asked what the Congress' priorities should be, 60 percent chose an agenda to strengthen American families by creating good-paying jobs and offering solutions on health care and retirement. Seventy-four percent think their legislators should make health care a high priority, according to Lake Research Partners.

In a recent ad in the New York Times, Change to Win urged Congress to seek solutions on health care and other workers' issues. As they did in the last elections, thousands of union activists are now gearing up for the 2008 presidential campaign to push an agenda for change that will help restore the American Dream: a paycheck that supports a family, affordable health care, and a secure retirement.

To earn support from America's newest labor federation, Burger said the focus of any legislation or candidates' plan must be comprehensive, not piecemeal reform. "Our health care system is broken," she said. "Tinkering around the edges won't fix it."

The text of the letter and the full principles are available here: http://www.changetowin.org/issues/health-care/