At state conventions in August, the North Dakota, Delaware, and Washington State AFL-CIOs have all endorsed HR 676, single payer national healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). This brings to seven the number of state labor federations that have endorsed the Conyers legislation.
Dave Kemnitz, President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO, said of his state’s convention action: “We think the effort for HR 676 is timely and of utmost importance to all Americans for healthcare access and affordability. In addition, national healthcare is one of the big pieces of the puzzle to keep American workers competitive in the global economy.” In 1993, Kemnitz led a successful effort to pass a single payer bill in the North Dakota state senate. The legislation died when the lower house failed to act.
Gerald Brady, Executive Director, and Samuel Lathem, President of the Delaware AFL-CIO wrote, in a letter informing the All Unions Committee for Single Payer Health Care-HR 676 of their state’s endorsement: “We applaud your efforts to advance this cause on behalf of the millions of Americans that are in need.”
The Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) is the statewide AFL-CIO federation in this northwest state and represents 400,000 members in 500 local unions. The WSLC endorsed HR 676 at its convention August 21-23 in Wenatchee, WA. In “wholeheartedly” endorsing HR 676, convention resolution 12 stated: “A single payer program, as provided by HR 676, is the only affordable option for universal, comprehensive coverage.”
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HR 676 now has 75 congressional co-sponsors in addition to John Conyers. It would institute a single payer health care system in the U.S. by expanding a greatly improved Medicare system to every resident.
HR 676 would cover every person in the U. S. for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care, chiropractic and long term care. HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and HMOs.
HR 676 has been endorsed by 174 union organizations, including 39 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and seven state AFL-CIO’s (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND & WA).
For further information, a complete list of union endorsers, or a sample endorsement resolution, contact:
Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care-HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636 1551, (502) 459-3393
Email: nursenpo@aol.com