Kay Tillow, All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care, June 30, 2009

In Maryland Heights, Missouri, Chico Humes, President of Teamsters Local 6-505M, Graphic Communications Conference/IBT, reports that his local has endorsed HR.676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In New York City AFGE Local 3911 endorsed HR.676 after a presentation by Len Rodberg, President of  PNHP’s Metro NY Chapter. Local 3911 represents federal workers at EPA Region 2. In Austin, Texas, Keith Roy Harris, President of IATSE Local 205, reports his local endorsed HR.676 at the June membership meeting. Local 205 is one of a large number of IATSE locals that will be supporting a HR.676 resolution at the IATSE international union convention at the end of July.

HR.676 would institute a single payer health care system by expanding agreatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the US. HR.676 would cover every person 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, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment, palliative care, and long term care. HR.676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR.676 would save hundreds of billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and HMOs. In the current Congress, HR.676 has 83 co-sponsors in addition to Conyers. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced SB.703, a single payer bill in the Senate. HR.676 has been endorsed by 546 union organizations in 49 states including 128 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 state AFL-CIOs (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI, MT, NE, NY, NV & MA).

For further information, a 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
Email: nursenpo@aol.com
http://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org