Thursday, September 17, 2009
Health care bill needs shoring up
Like any stable structure, a building is only as good as its framework.
So it goes with health care reform legislation. Three House committees and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee have approved bills which are a solid basis for reform. They would expand coverage to most Americans, require employers to contribute to the cost of care, protect retirees, and create a strong public health insurance option to insure competition in all areas of the country.
But recently the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., has released a much weaker health care reform bill. This measure is scheduled to be taken up by the committee on Sept. 22. The UAW, other unions, and our progressive allies have serious concerns about the Baucus bill. It would:
-- Unfairly penalize plans with more older workers and retirees. It forces these plans to scale back benefits.
-- Does not require all employers to contribute to the cost of health care for their employees.
-- Does not include provisions to encourage employers and Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs) to continue health insurance coverage for early retirees.
UAW members should contact members of the Senate Finance Committee immediately to urge them to fix these serious problems. This includes the following senators:
Bingaman (NM)
Cantwell (WA)
Carper (DE)
Kerry (MA)
Lincoln (AR)
Menendez (NJ)
Nelson, Bill (FL)
Rockefeller (WV)
Schumer (NY)
Stabenow (MI)
Wyden (OR)
Tell these senators that genuine health care reform should not undermine good health insurance coverage by imposing discriminatory taxes on health care plans. Furthermore, it should require all employers to pay their fair share and encourage them to continue providing coverage for early retirees.
"Senators need to hear from us to make sure this legislation becomes a strong structure for real health care reform," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said. "With your help, we can pass a strong bill that will finally make decent, affordable health care for all Americans a reality."
Health care reform means so much to so many: A stronger, more competitive economy and more take-home pay instead of diverting it to every-increasing health care premiums. And then there's the matter of 46 million Americans -- more than 7 million of them children -- who live every day without something that should be a right, not a privilege. Please immediately contact members of the Senate Finance Committee and tell them to shore up the Baucus bill and get the job done.
Senators can be contacted through the U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121