The House of Representatives could vote on H.R. 3962 as early as this SATURDAY, so hurry and log onto www.twu.org to use the “Click to Call” function to tell your Senators and Representative that we want quality, affordable healthcare that works for working families, and we want it NOW. Make sure your voice is heard at this pivotal time!
Brothers and Sisters,
History is being made. For forty years, the American Labor Movement has been losing the battle for meaningful and comprehensive healthcare reform. But, today we are on the cusp of achieving our goal. Within days, the House of Representatives will vote on The Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R. 3962, which merges and improves the three previous bills passed by the House Education & Labor, Energy & Commerce, and Ways & Means Committees. H.R. 3962 meets President Obama’s criteria of expanding access to coverage, providing competition in the market, reigning in skyrocketing costs, and demanding accountability from the insurance industryThe unveiling of a bill that includes a national public plan option, an employer mandate to either “pay or play”, without placing a burden to carry the cost of comprehensive healthcare reform on middle class Americans is progressive and true reform.
Specifically, the inclusion of a Public Plan Option is a key facet of the bill. And, the Public Plan Option component will finally introduce real competition into the insurance market. Such competition will reign in skyrocketing costs, increase choice, steer quality improvements, and keep insurance companies honest. The employer responsibility provision serves to strengthen the new market dynamic by requiring employers to pay their fair share, or pay a penalty for their irresponsible behavior. These two key provisions, when enacted in conjunction with other market and delivery reforms, will strengthen our country even further by reducing the federal deficit by $30 billion over the next 10 years.
Additionally, HR 3962’s progressive financing of healthcare reform is both sensible and responsible because only the wealthiest Americans are taxed, instead of financing reform of the backs of the middle class.
TWU applauds Speaker Pelosi for releasing a healthcare reform bill that provides real relief for working families and builds a solid foundation for the future. As the Senate and the House work towards moving the bills to a vote, we will continue to work with Members of Congress to retain the critical provisions included in “The Affordable Health Care for America Act” (H.R. 3962) and to bring long-overdue reform to our nation’s healthcare system.