Resolution: 71A-09-03
Approved: June 22, 2009
“So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year.” With those bold words President Barack Obama set the stage for enacting health care reform in 2009. And he has stood by that bold challenge. His 2010 budget submitted to Congress included a $600 billion down payment on health care reform. Since then, he has reached out to insurance company representatives, business executives, and most recently to the American Medical Association – traditional foes of the expansive reforms. President Obama has challenged those factions to stand down, be part of the solution, and help make health care reform a reality.
The President’s effort is supported in both the House and the Senate by energetic Committee Chairs determined to get the job done in 2009. As we meet at this Convention, the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee have drafted bills and are considering them in committee mark-up hearings. The three House committees with jurisdiction over health care have merged their efforts and just released their common bill. Along with H.R. 676 introduced by Rep. John Conyers, each of these proposals has set the goal of achieving health care for all.
In spite of this positive momentum, the battle lines are drawn. Business resists the notion that they must pay their fair share. Health insurance companies resist the notion that the American people should be offered the choice of a public plan, fearing a cost efficient plan might drive them out of business. Health care providers resist the notion that costs might be controlled by implementing best practices. In short, stakeholders are and will continue to lobby hard to make sure that health care reform does not come at their expense.
CWA has a huge stake in the outcome of this historic opportunity. Our members have had to fight hard just to keep the health care benefits we have, but most of us have been losing ground. Health care is soaking up a bigger and bigger portion of our total compensation, but the benefits packages are shrinking. We can no longer expect to solve our health care problems at the bargaining table. We must take our fight for affordable, quality health care for all to the halls of Congress.
Our message to Capitol Hill is that fixing health care is crucial to fixing the economy. The high cost of health care is hurting our families, our businesses, and our government. If we are to build a new foundation for economic growth, we need to fix our health care system to control costs and guarantee good, affordable health care.
It is very likely that a health care reform bill will be passed this year, and CWA members must help the final push for passage so that this historic opportunity is not missed. We do not want just any reform bill; we want the right reform bill. As the bill is being written and moves through Congress, it is important that we speak out for our priorities, so we get health reform that works for working families.
Resolved: CWA will engage at every level to work for passage of a health care reform bill this year that addresses our top priorities: all employers must pay toward coverage for their workers; pre-Medicare retirees must be guaranteed affordable, quality care; there must be a choice between a public and private health insurance plan; and the health benefits of working families must not be taxed.
Resolved: CWA will join with coalitions who share our principles in order to multiply our power. Health Care for America Now! is the largest coalition uniting labor unions and other progressive groups working for comprehensive health care reform. We will link our efforts where we can, beginning with the June 25th National Health Care Rally and Lobby Day and in state and local coalitions thereafter.