 Reform efforts at pivotal point, needs
union support to win
The U.S. House of
Representatives released it's health care reform (HCR)
legislation late last week. The Affordable Health Care for
America Act - H.R. 3962, includes a strong public option for
those without insurance, an employer mandate to provide
insurance to employees, and does not tax our union negotiated
benefits.
Keeping President Obama's
pledge not to sign a bill that raises the deficit, the House
bill is better than deficit neutral. According to analysis by
the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, H.R.
3962 actually reduces the federal deficit by $104
billion over the next 10 years (PDF).
Other key provisions include a
requirement that insurance companies accept all comers, a ban
denying care because of "pre-existing conditions", and
an end to gender and health status discrimination.
In all, HCR as authored by the
Affordable Care for America Act would cover 96% of legal,
non-elderly residents.
Call the Congress during the
week of Nov. 5-12
The AFL-CIO Turn Around
America campaign has planned a week of actions in support of
comprehensive health care reform. View
the flyer (PDF). Starting on Thursday, November 5,
call your representative and senators toll-free at 1-877-3AFLCIO
(1-877-323-5246) and tell them:
Health Care Reform must:
- Include a strong public health insurance option
to break private insurers stranglehold on the market.
- NOT tax our health plans.
- Guarantee employers pay their fair share.
Here's a draft script you can
use when making your calls:
Calls to House of
Representatives Members:
My name is
______________________ and I live in (City). I am calling today
to urge you to support The Affordable Health Care for America
Act, House Bill 3962. House Bill 3962 contains a strong public
option, an employer mandate and does not tax working families'
benefits. Families like mine need real health care reform and I
hope we can count on your support. Thank you.
If you're unsure who is your
U.S. Representative, you
can look up his or her name here.
Calls to U.S.
Senators:
My name is ______________ and
I live in (City). I am calling today to urge you to support real
health care reform containing a strong public option, a mandate
that employers pay their fair share and reform that does not tax
our health care benefits.
I hope we can count on
Senator ___________ to support real health care reform. Thank
you.
If you live in North Carolina,
your U.S. Senators are Richard Burr and Kay Hagan.
And while you're at it, how
about writing a letter, too?
Writing a letter to your
Members of Congress is simple and easy. Three sentences in a
personal letter from you can have a greater impact than a
thousand emails. Use the talking points above to craft your
message, but remember to also speak from the heart.
You can use
our elected officials look up page to view the contact
information and mailing addresses (both in Washington, DC
and in your district) for your representative and senators.
For more information about our
campaign to win affordable, guaranteed, quality health care for
all, download
the official flyer (PDF) for our National Week of
Action.
Remember to Call
1-877-3AFL-CIO on November 5th!
With your help, we can win
this fight and Turn Around America in the process. |
