Massachusetts AFL-CIO Resolution In Support of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform

WHEREAS, 47 million Americans currently live without any health insurance coverage; and

 

WHEREAS, the growth of health care costs has outpaced the growth of wages by nearly three times; and

 

WHEREAS, it is projected that without significant reform, in five years 56 million Americans will be without health insurance; and

 

WHEREAS, the rising cost of healthcare makes it unaffordable for many families who do have health insurance to keep their coverage, and

 

WHEREAS, an increase in primary and preventive care spurred by expanded health insurance coverage can prevent the incidence of disease, illness, or injury to begin with; and

 

WHEREAS, the tumultuous job market in the U.S. leaves people unemployed suddenly and unexpectedly, which can lead to a sudden loss of health insurance, and

 

WHEREAS, the creation of a public insurance plan managed by the federal government will provide an insurance option to those who are unemployed, reduce administrative costs, and improve the efficiency of existing health insurance companies; and

 

WHEREAS, the National AFL-CIO has established core principles for health care reform, including a strong public option, a strong role and responsibility for employers, a focus on slowing the growth and then containing the cost of health care, and an insistence that health benefits not be taxed; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO supports comprehensive reform of the American health insurance system that includes these principles; and be it further

 

RESOLVED that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for reform of the American healthcare system.