Principles for Health Care Reform

CWA, the United Steelworkers and the Auto Workers are working together in a joint effort to make comprehensive health care reform a key issue in the 2008 elections. The three unions agreed to a framework for reform that includes the following principles:

• Everyone should have health care coverage, without exclusions or penalties.
• Individuals should continue to be able to select their own doctors and health care providers.
• While the market plays an important role, government must play a central role in regulating, financing and providing health care.
• Unions and employers should continue to play a role and be able to supplement coverage to ensure dental, vision and other care.
• Business should have a level playing field. Every employer must participate in ensuring health coverage and no employer should be disadvantaged because of the age or health of its workforce or number of retirees.
• Reform must include effective mechanisms for controlling costs, monitoring provider performance and enhancing efficiency.
• Investment must be made in systems and technology to reduce medical errors and costs, streamline administration and promote best practices.

All three unions will be reaching out to major employers to ask them to support the principles and join in the campaign for real health care reform in the United States by 2012.