Massachusetts AFL-CIO Executive Council Passes Resolution for Single Payer Health Care

Resolution to Support H.R. 676 for Single Payer Health Care

Whereas: Workers, their families, and their unions are waging an increasingly difficult struggle to win or keep good health benefits.

Whereas: Almost every union at every contract deadline must battle and sacrifice merely to sustain health insurance benefits.

Whereas: The rising cost of health insurance premiums are blocking worker progress in wages, job growth, and other areas. All of our unions face a health care crisis.

Whereas: More than 45 million people in the U.S. are currently without health insurance. More than 75 million went without health insurance for some length of time within the last 2 years. Millions more have inadequate coverage or are at risk of losing coverage.

Whereas: The institute of medicine supports that more than 22,000 die in the U.S. because they lack health insurance.

Whereas: Economic necessities and moral conscience compel us to seek a better way. Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) joined by 91 co-sponsors has introduced H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. A.K.A. “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All.”

Whereas: H.R. 676 will cover every person in the United States for all necessary medical care from birth to death.

Whereas: The Executive Council of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO unanimously endorsed adoption of this resolution at this Convention; therefore be it

Resolved: That the Massachusetts AFL-CIO wholeheartedly endorse Congressman Conyers H.R. 676 Bill “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All;” therefore be it further

Resolved: That the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will work with other unions and community groups to build a groundswell of popular support and action for H.R. 676 until we make what is morally right for our nation into what is also politically possible; therefore be it further

Resolved: That the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will send a copy of this resolution to Congressman Conyers, to all members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the AFL-CIO Executive Council, and to the news and media; therefore be it further

Resolved: That the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will take other actions to mobilize our members and community at a grass roots level to encourage other members of the house to sign on as c0-sponsors of H.R. 676 and to encourage Senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate.