CWA Backs the Comprehensive Reforms of ‘Medicare for All' Act

Bill Sponsored by Senator Kennedy and Representative Dingell Builds on What Works

Contact: Jeff Miller or Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168

Washington, D.C -- The Communications Workers of America endorses the Medicare for All Act, sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.), as an important step toward comprehensive reform of our nation's health care system. The legislation builds on the success of the Medicare program – one of our most effective public policy initiatives – with a timetable for expanding health care coverage for all who need it.

Senator Kennedy and Representative Dingell are two of our nation's most dedicated leaders in the effort to bring about true and universal health care coverage, and CWA is honored to work with them to reach the goal of a system that fairly covers all Americans.

The Medicare program has guaranteed health care for older Americans for more than 40 years, with a proven track record of administrative efficiencies and effectiveness. It clearly is a model for the reform our nation so badly needs.  

"Our nation must have comprehensive health care reform that provides universal coverage and levels the playing field among employers," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "Our current system puts a huge strain on employers that provide quality benefits for employees – both current and retired – and their families.  It forces many U.S. businesses to compete not on the quality of their products, services and performance, but instead on the cost of health care benefits.  Many U.S. companies must compete globally against competitors where there is some form of national health care that reduces benefit costs, a real disadvantage for U.S. firms, Cohen said.

"The Medicare for All Act sets the stage for a health care system that not only expands coverage outside the traditional employment relationship but assures working families that they won't lose their health care coverage if they change or lose their jobs. It addresses the health security concerns of retirees. And it will end our national shame of allowing 45 million Americans to go without health insurance coverage," Cohen said.

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CWA represents 700,000 workers in information technology and communications, media and publishing, health care, public service and higher education, airlines and manufacturing.