AFGE National Convention Endorses HR 676Reno, Nevada. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) isthe twenty-second international union to endorse HR 676, single payerhealthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).On August 27th the 38th AFGE National Convention passed Resolution #4003,"Endorsing Universal Health Care H.R. 676." The resolution was submittedby Local 2157 which represents workers at the Portland, Oregon, VeteransAdministration Medical Center. AFGE represents 600,000 federal andDistrict of Columbia workers in a wide variety of agencies, includingSocial Security, the Veterans Administration, and the Bureau of Prisons.Betsy Zucker, RN, FNP, and a convention delegate from Local 2157, saidafter the vote:"AFGE members from around the country overwhelmingly endorsed H.R. 676,Single Payer Health Care, on August 27. Federal workers understand thatMedicare-for-All will save money, provide health care to all, and startaddressing health care as a human right, not a commodity to be bought andsold to the highest bidder. AFGE supports health care for people, not forprofits!" #30#HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system by expanding agreatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the U. S.HR 676 would cover every person for all necessary medical care includingprescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary andpreventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health,physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), visioncare, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durablemedical equipment, palliative care, and long term care.HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds ofbillions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of theprivate health insurance industry and HMOs.In the current Congress, HR 676 has 86 co-sponsors in addition to Conyers.Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced SB 703, a single payer billin the Senate.HR 676 has been endorsed by 561 union organizations in 49 states including130 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 stateAFL-CIO's (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 sampleendorsement resolution, contact:Kay TillowAll Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218Louisville, KY 40217(502) 636 1551Email: nursenpo@aol.comhttp://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org09/02/09
Monday, September 7, 2009
AFGE National Convention Endorses HR 676
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