CWA, Partners Launch 'Bridge Years Coalition' on Health Care

CWA, IBEW, Verizon and a diverse group of business, health care and retiree organizations have formed the "Bridge Years Health Coalition," to support efforts for reform of the health care system and to make sure that the concerns of Americans aged 55-64 get addressed in health care reform.

In a letter to President Obama and to congressional leaders, the coalition stressed that pre-age 65 retirees need access to quality, affordable health care coverage that is not contingent on health or employment status. Workers and retirees in this age group face fewer options for health care and often far greater costs.

"Health care reform is one of the most important issues facing CWA members today. Most of us are covered by good benefits negotiated at the bargaining table, but rising costs have made it harder to bargain good benefits. Reform must include protections for retirees," said CWA President Larry Cohen.

The coalition will meet with members of Congress and staff on the need for legislation that ensures quality, affordable care for the 33 million Americans who are retired or approaching retirement.

Following the 2008 contract negotiations, CWA, IBEW and Verizon formed a partnership to help find solutions to the health care crisis, agreeing that problems like increasing costs and quality of care can't be solved at the bargaining table. The three bargaining partners decided to expand their reach by founding the Bridge Years Health Coalition. Members of the coalition include the AFL-CIO, Alliance for Retired Americans, the National Coalition for Health Care, Small Business Majority and others.