Health Care Reform: The Time is Now

The U.S. House of Representatives passed historic health care legislation Nov. 7. The bill:

• Creates a public option to increase competition, drive downs costs, and make health insurance accessible and affordable for more people 
• Will cover 96 percent of Americans
• Doesn’t tax workers for health insurance they receive through their jobs 
• Requires employers to pitch in by providing comprehensive insurance to their workers, or by paying into a fund to support subsidies for workers who must obtain insurance on their own 
• Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions
• Strengthens Medicare

Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, Jim Oberstar and Tim Walz voted for the bill. Michele Bachmann, John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Collin Peterson sided with the insurance companies. 

The fight now moves to the Senate.Sen. Amy Klobuchar remains reluctant to support a public option, which is key to reform plans. A public plan is crucial to provide health insurance that is not controlled by insurance companies. Call Sen. Klobuchar (202-224-3244 or toll-free at 888-224-9043). Urge her to support a public option. 

Resources from AFSCME International about health-care reform:

• In TV Ad, AFSCME Health-Care Workers Tell Why We Need Reform Now
• President McEntee's Statement on the House of Representatives Vote
• President McEntee's Statement on the Latest Senate Proposal
• International President Gerald McEntee's Statement on the Need for a Public Option
• Who's Voting for Insurance Companies, Not for Reform