Mouse-land and healthcare reform

Mr. Boston;

This is an outright lie and you know it:

“Like the Democrats after their 2008 victory, the CCF moved slowly at first to implement its plan, a delay that emboldened the opposition. In an attempt to win the support of doctors, the government created an advisory panel for their concerns. Doctors used the panel to stall, and the government waited more than a year to pass its reforms, with the start date delayed until July 1, 1962. The province's doctors responded with a vote to strike if the plan was implemented.”

The Democrats have proposed nothing like the CCF or NDP and is in no way like them.

This is dishonest to assert this.

Maybe you should check out this speech out by socialist Tommy Douglas and circulate it to your e-mail list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpFm7zAK90

Mouseland by Tommy Douglas.

Tommy Douglas was an ardent proponent of socialized healthcare from the very beginning of his political career… plus, the Liberal Party in Canada which you cite correctly as being an opponent of healthcare reform (and still is) is more akin to the Democratic Party than the Republican Party… but, alas, the Liberal and Conservative parties in Canada are the parties of big-business just like their Democratic and Republican Party counterparts here in the United States… we need a party similar to the socialist New Democratic Party (CCF) if we are ever going to achieve real progressive healthcare reform.

Again, your assertion that Democrats are doing anything like the NDP did in Canada is an out-right lie and you should correct this for those on your e-mail list… but, alas, it has been your purpose from the very beginning to serve to disorient and confuse working people when it comes to healthcare reform. You think you are being real “cute” in engaging in your despicable tactics of deceit… par for the course for the way Democrats operate.

The American people are going to give the Democrats the just trouncing they deserve at the polls come Election Day 2010 and Election Day 2012 and this kind of blatant dishonesty you promote will prove to be the Democrat’s own undoing because the American people are fed up with the kind of shenanigans you are engaged in here looking to confuse and disorient working people on the issue of healthcare reform.

It is dishonest people like you who fuel the fascist and racist Tea-bagger movement which makes working people so cynical they don’t want to participate in politics.

In this article you provide, this is a fine example of what all demagogues do; they include a little bit of truth with their pack of lies to justify giving the working people a good shafting. 

Alan L. Maki

58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell Phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Please check out my blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

From: mark boston [mailto:markmabmab@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 1:25 PM
To: markmabmab@gmail.com
Subject: Fwd: Tea Party, Canada-Style

Tea Party, Canada-Style!

America's battle over health care reform started in Saskatchewan.

By Christopher Flavelle Posted Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at 6:51 AM ET

Nearly 50 years before Sarah Palin gave us "death panels," the American Medical Association was testing the limits of health care scare tactics in the Canadian prairies. During the 1960 provincial election in Saskatchewan, the AMA helped fund an advertising campaign aimed at defeating the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, a quasi-socialist party whose leader, a former Baptist minister named Tommy Douglas, had promised to introduce universal, government-funded health care in the province. 

Protesting the implementation of medicare in Saskatchewan, July 11, 1962 The AMA, together with Saskatchewan's College of Physicians and Surgeons, warned that if the CCF won, doctors would leave the province in droves. But here was the kicker: As Dave Margoshes writes in his 1999 biography of Douglas, the campaign told voters that if the state were permitted to take over health care, "patients with hard-to-diagnose problems would be shipped off to insane asylums by bungling bureaucrats." 

The campaign failed. Douglas won the election, and the CCF government went on to introduce his health care plan in 1962, creating the model that the rest of Canada would later follow. (So far as we know, insane-asylum panels did not come to pass.) But the fight for health care reform in Saskatchewan, which the AMA worried could spark change in the United States, was a precursor to the battle in America today—a mix of populist anger, political opportunism, and disinformation. As Democrats debate whether to pursue health care reform in the face of growing opposition, they might consider the lessons of Saskatchewan. 

Like the Democrats after their 2008 victory, the CCF moved slowly at first to implement its plan, a delay that emboldened the opposition. In an attempt to win the support of doctors, the government created an advisory panel for their concerns. Doctors used the panel to stall, and the government waited more than a year to pass its reforms, with the start date delayed until July 1, 1962. The province's doctors responded with a vote to strike if the plan was implemented.

The events of the next 10 months were ugly by Canadian standards. Douglas' push for health care reform "lit the fuse of the incendiary bomb that would tear Saskatchewan apart into its two opposing elements," wrote Doris French Shackleton in her 1975 biography of Douglas. 

Part of the unrest came from doctors themselves. In the months leading up to the new plan, physicians across Saskatchewan put up office signs reading, "Unless agreement is reached between the present government and the medical profession, this office will close as of July 1." Douglas' wife, Irma, described how a doctor would tell his pregnant patient, after a check-up, "I'm afraid this is the last time I'll be able to see you." 

The doctors' worries about being paid by the province, rather than patients, may have been genuine. But those concerns were amplified by Saskatchewan's opposition Liberal Party, which had been shut out of power since 1944. Like the American Republicans 50 years later, the Liberals fought health reform in two ways: directly, by opposing it in public; and indirectly, by supporting groups that could provide the appearance of broad-based public anger. In Saskatchewan, the public opposition to health reform came in the form of a movement called Keep Our Doctors, which organized rallies and protests across the province.

Sometimes, the Liberals blurred the line between political opposition and rabble-rousing. At a Keep Our Doctors rally outside the provincial legislature, Liberal leader Ross Thatcher used the occasion to call for a special session of the legislature, which wasn't sitting at the time. To illustrate his point, he invited TV cameras to follow him up to the locked doors of the legislature, which he then made a show of trying to kick down.

But in another precursor to today's Tea Party movement in the United States, the unrest over health reform in Saskatchewan proved to be more than just political theatrics. "The fears inspired by the doctors and fanned by the Liberal party," Shackleton writes, "convinced many people at least briefly that the CCF was a dictatorial, power-mad, ruthless group of politicians who would rather see people die for lack of medical care than back down." Shackleton described "a sense of civil war." (Read more about the unrest in Saskatchewan.)

Public anger against the plan found its lightning rod in Douglas, who had resigned as Saskatchewan's premier to run for federal office as the member of Parliament for Regina. Election Day was June 18, 1962—just two weeks before the new health care plan was to take effect. A woman who worked on Douglas' election campaign recalled the venom of the time. At night at the campaign office, "teenagers would come up and hiss at us through the glass," she remembered later. 

"The city's residents had been whipped into a near-hysteria by the doctors' anti-medicare campaign," Margoshes writes, adding, "There were graffiti threats on city walls and calls in the middle of the night to Tommy's house. His campaign manager, Ed Whelan, got frequent calls from a man threatening to 'shoot you, you Red bastard!' A few homeowners placed symbolic coffins on their front lawns." 

As in the United States today, opponents of the health reform plan weren't sure whether to denounce the CCF as Communists or Nazis, so they did both. Protesters greeted Douglas' motorcade with Nazi salutes—when they weren't throwing stones at it. Other opponents painted the hammer and sickle on the homes of people thought to be associated with the party.

The doctors made good on their threats: When the new health care plan was introduced on July 1, doctors across the province walked off the job. But the government was ready, flying in replacement doctors, mostly from Britain. The strike ended after three weeks, the health care plan stayed in place, and four years later, the Canadian government passed the Medical Care Act, which provided funding for every province to create a similar plan

Douglas and his party were vindicated. Once their plan took effect, Shackleton writes, it "was soon so well accepted that no political party had the temerity to suggest its abolition."

But that vindication came too late. Douglas, who had led the CCF to five straight provincial victories, lost his federal campaign that June, receiving barely half as many votes as his opponent. Two years later, the Liberals defeated the CCF for the first time in 20 years. The party that passed health care reform would spend the next seven years out of power. 

The events leading up to the 1962 doctors' strike in Saskatchewan are different from today's Tea Party movement in important ways, of course. Saskatchewan wasn't seized by the same level of broad distrust for government that U.S. opinion polls show today. The idea of a government role in health care was already accepted, to a degree: Saskatchewan had already passed the Hospital Insurance Act in 1947, which paid for hospital care. And the changes Democrats have called for stop well short of single-payer health care, notwithstanding the charges of their critics. Even the AMA supported Obama's plan. 

But the anger of those months in Saskatchewan undermines a key belief in the debate over health care reform. When confronted with the overall success of Canada's brand of government-funded health care—better health outcomes at much lower cost—Americans tend to respond that such a broad government role is anathema to American culture. This has the ring of an excuse—after all, the idea was apparently somewhat anathema to Canadian culture in 1962. As Douglas said then, "We've become convinced that these things, which were once thought to be radical, aren't radical at all; they're just plain common sense applied to the economic and social problems of our times." 

The point isn't that U.S. and Canadian cultures aren't different. Rather, it's that cultural attitudes aren't static. However much some segments of U.S. culture may resist Obama's proposals, the Saskatchewan experience suggests that resistance will dissipate if the plan produces a system that works better than the status quo—especially since, as in Saskatchewan, the government was elected on a promise to make that change.

The other lesson of Saskatchewan is less exciting for Democrats: Even if people come around to the reform itself, they may not come around to the party that pushed it through. If they want to achieve health care reform, that may be a chance that Democrats have to take. But re-election qualms shouldn't be dressed up with bromides about the limits of what's possible. As Canadians can attest, health care reform takes a little more backbone than that.

The U.S. Health Care System - Values, Priorities, and Rankings

A guest blog...

The U.S. Health Care System - Values, Priorities, and Rankings

Written by Brian McAfee

The current battles over American health care system are indicative of a wider philosophical and social divide. What is at stake and what is the desired outcome of each side?

First we must look at the current health care system as it exists in the United States. The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. health system well below most of Europe, Canada and Japan. France and Italy rank at number one and two while the U.S. is at #37. Most of the countries that rank above the U.S. have some form of socialized health care system. Japan,which ranks 10th on the WHO list, is at #1 in life expectancy at 74.5 years, while the U.S. is 24th in life expectancy, again below Europe, Canada and Australia as well. An oft repeated declaration is that the U.S. has the best health care in the World, also that people from all over the World come to the U.S. for health care, such as the King of Jordan who went to Mayo Clinic recently for surgery. This happens, if they can afford to do so. U.S. citizens do the same, Richard DeVos, co-founder of AMWAY and a staunch Republican went to England for a heart transplant and talk show host Charlie Rose went to France for heart surgery. These options of course do not exist for most Americans. The disruptions and shows of righteous indignation" at town hall meetings need a closer look. News reports indicate that those disrupting the town halls of specific Democratic Congress men and women were largely staged by combination's of HMO employees bussed to the town halls for the purpose of disruption and distortion and "FOX NEWS" zealots who believe capitalism and business interests should come before people's health. Misinformation and lies about Obama's health care plans swayed a lot of opinion polls as well as a lack of knowledge about the benefits of Universal health care. The Rights repeatedly comparing Obama's proposed changes as comparable to Nazism was especially ridiculous. The Nazi comparisons are generally a bad idea for public discourse but there is an area that somewhat fits. During the Nazi era particular businesses were given greater privilege and leeway over the well being of people and their rights, the most well known of these were I.G. Farben and Krupp. It was a clear cut idea and system where profit (and of course power) took precedence over people. Like a boomerang the Nazi comparison idea...well you get the idea.

In a recent interview with Dr James Jackson, a well known Muskegon physician and community activist, Dr Jackson stated that the problem in America's health care is that "it is based on capitalism, it puts people second and money fist." When asked if HMOs had a legitimate place in American health care he said "absolutely not." About Obama's health care ideas Dr Jackson said it was not without problems. He said "if it does not include single payer it will continue the same problems that we currently have."

In the ongoing battle for truth, justice and values people should always be valued before and above profits.

Below are charts from the World Health Organization ranking health
care systems and
life expectancies from around the World.

The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems
 was last
produced in 2000, and the WHO no longer produces such
 a ranking table, because
of the complexity of the task.



World Health Organization's (WHO) Ranking of the World's Health Systems.
1 France 65 Uruguay 129 Peru
2 Italy 66 Hungary 130 Russia
3 San Marino 67 Trinidad and Tobago 131 Honduras
4 Andorra 68 Saint Lucia 132 Burkina Faso
5 Malta 69 Belize 133 Sao Tome and Principe
6 Singapore 70 Turkey 134 Sudan
7 Spain 71 Nicaragua 135 Ghana
8 Oman 72 Belarus 136 Tuvalu
9 Austria 73 Lithuania 137 Ivory Coast
10 Japan 74 Saint Vincent & the Grenadines 138 Haiti
11 Norway 75 Argentina 139 Gabon
12 Portugal 76 Sri Lanka 140 Kenya
13 Monaco 77 Estonia 141 Marshall Islands
14 Greece 78 Guatemala 142 Kiribati
15 Iceland 79 Ukraine 143 Burundi
16 Luxembourg 80 Solomon Islands 144 China
17 Netherlands 81 Algeria 145 Mongolia
18 United Kingdom 82 Palau 146 Gambia
19 Ireland 83 Jordan 147 Maldives
20 Switzerland 84 Mauritius 148 Papua New Guinea
21 Belgium 85 Grenada 149 Uganda
22 Colombia 86 Antigua and Barbuda 150 Nepal
23 Sweden 87 Libya 151 Kyrgystan
24 Cyprus 88 Bangladesh 152 Togo
25 Germany 89 Macedonia 153 Turkmenistan
26 Saudi Arabia 90 Bosnia-Herzegovina 154 Tajikistan
27 United Arab Emirates 91 Lebanon 155 Zimbabwe
28 Israel 92 Indonesia 156 Tanzania
29 Morocco 93 Iran 157 Djibouti
30 Canada 94 Bahamas 158 Eritrea
31 Finland 95 Panama 159 Madagascar
32 Australia 96 Fiji 160 Vietnam
33 Chile 97 Benin 161 Guinea
34 Denmark 98 Nauru 162 Mauritania
35 Dominica 99 Romania 163 Mali
36 Costa Rica 100 Saint Kitts and Nevis 164 Cameroon
37 United States of America 101 Moldova 165 Laos
38 Slovenia 102 Bulgaria 166 Congo
39 Cuba 103 Iraq 167 North Korea
40 Brunei 104 Armenia 168 Namibia
41 New Zealand 105 Latvia 169 Botswana
42 Bahrain 106 Yugoslavia 170 Niger
43 Croatia 107 Cook Islands 171 Equatorial Guinea
44 Qatar 108 Syria 172 Rwanda
45 Kuwait 109 Azerbaijan 173 Afghanistan
46 Barbados 110 Suriname 174 Cambodia
47 Thailand 111 Ecuador 175 South Africa
48 Czech Republic 112 India 176 Guinea-Bissau
49 Malaysia 113 Cape Verde 177 Swaziland
50 Poland 114 Georgia 178 Chad
51 Dominican Republic 115 El Salvador 179 Somalia
52 Tunisia 116 Tonga 180 Ethiopia
53 Jamaica 117 Uzbekistan 181 Angola
54 Venezuela 118 Comoros 182 Zambia
55 Albania 119 Samoa 181 Lesotho
56 Seychelles 120 Yemen 184 Mozambique
57 Paraguay 121 Niue 185 Malawi
58 South Korea 122 Pakistan 186 Liberia
59 Senegal 123 Micronesia 187 Nigeria
60 Philippines 124 Bhutan 188 Democratic Republic of the Congo
61 Mexico 125 Brazil 189 Central African Republic
62 Slovakia 126 Bolivia 190 Myanmar
63 Egypt 127 Vanuatu

64 Kazakhstan 128 Guyana


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years)
DEFINITION: Average number of years that a person can expect to live in "full health" by
taking into account years lived in less than full health due to disease and/or injury.
Country
Rank Member
State Total Pop.
(Years) Male Femalee Country
Rank Member
State Total Pop
(Years) Male Female
1 Japan 74.5 71.9 77.2 95 Belize 60.9 58.5 63.3
2 Australia 73.2 70.8 75.5 96 Lebanon 60.6 61.2 60.1
3 France 73.1 69.3 76.9 97 Iran 60.5 61.3 59.8
4 Sweden 73.0 71.2 74.9 98 Samoa 60.5 58.7 62.3
5 Spain 72.8 69.8 75.7 99 Guyana 60.2 57.1 63.3
6 Italy 72.7 70.0 75.4 100 Thailand 60.2 58.4 62.1
7 Greece 72.5 70.5 74.6 101 Uzbekistan 60.2 58.0 62.3
8 Switzerland 72.5 69.5 75.5 102 Jordan 60.0 60.7 59.3
9 Monaco 72.4 68.5 76.3 103 Albania 60.0 56.5 63.4
10 Andorra 72.3 69.3 75.2 104 Indonesia 59.7 58.8 60.6
11 San Marino 72.3 69.5 75.0 105 Micronesia 59.6 58.7 60.6
12 Canada 72.0 70.0 74.0 106 Peru 59.4 58.0 60.8
13 Netherlands 72.0 69.6 74.4 107 Fiji 59.4 57.7 61.1
14 United Kingdom 71.7 69.7 73.7 108 Libya 59.3 59.7 58.9
15 Norway 71.7 68.8 74.6 109 Seychelles 59.3 56.4 62.1
16 Belgium 71.6 68.7 74.6 110 Bahamas 59.1 56.7 61.6
17 Austria 71.6 68.8 74.4 111 Morocco 59.1 58.7 59.4
18 Luxembourg 71.1 68.0 74.2 112 Brazil 59.1 55.2 62.9
19 Iceland 70.8 69.2 72.3 113 Palau 59.0 57.4 60.7
20 Finland 70.5 67.2 73.7 114 Philippines 58.9 57.1 60.7
21 Malta 70.5 68.4 72.5 115 Syria 58.8 58.8 58.9
22 Germany 70.4 67.4 73.5 116 Egypt 58.5 58.6 58.3
23 Israel 70.4 69.2 71.6 117 Viet Nam 58.2 56.7 59.6
24 United States 70.0 67.5 72.6 118 Nicaragua 58.1 56.4 59.9
25 Cyprus 69.8 68.7 70.9 119 Cape Verde 57.6 54.6 60.6
26 Dominica 69.8 67.2 72.3 120 Tuvalu 57.4 57.1 57.6
27 Ireland 69.6 67.5 71.7 121 Tajikistan 57.3 55.1 59.4
28 Denmark 69.4 67.2 71.5 122 Marshall Islands 56.8 56.0 57.6
29 Portugal 69.3 65.9 72.7 123 Kazakhstan 56.4 51.5 61.2
30 Singapore 69.3 67.4 71.2 124 Kyrgyzstan 56.3 53.4 59.1
31 New Zealand 69.2 67.1 71.2 125 Pakistan 55.9 55.0 56.8
32 Chile 68.6 66.0 71.3 126 Kiribati 55.3 53.9 56.6
33 Cuba 68.4 67.4 69.4 127 Iraq 55.3 55.4 55.1
34 Slovenia 68.4 64.9 71.9 128 Solomon Islands 54.9 54.5 55.3
35 Czech Republic 68.0 65.2 70.8 129 Turkmenistan 54.3 51.9 56.7
36 Jamaica 67.3 66.8 67.9 130 Guatemala 54.3 52.1 56.4
37 Uruguay 67.0 64.1 69.9 131 Maldives 53.9 54.4 53.3
38 Croatia 67.0 63.3 70.6 132 Mongolia 53.8 51.3 56.3
39 Argentina 66.7 63.8 69.6 133 Sao Tome Princi 53.5 52.1 54.8
40 Costa Rica 66.7 65.2 68.1 134 Bolivia 53.3 52.5 54.1
41 Armenia 66.7 65.0 68.3 135 India 53.2 52.8 53.5
42 Slovakia 66.6 63.5 69.7 136 Vanuatu 52.8 51.3 54.4
43 Saint Vincent & The Grenadines 66.4 65.0 67.8 137 Nauru 52.5 49.8 55.1
44 Georgia 66.3 63.1 69.4 138 Bhutan 51.8 51.4 52.2
45 Poland 66.2 62.3 70.1 139 Myanmar 51.6 51.4 51.9
46 Yugoslavia 66.1 64.2 68.1 140 Bangladesh 49.9 50.1 49.8
47 Panama 66.0 64.9 67.2 141 Yemen 49.7 49.7 49.7
48 Antigua+Barbuda 65.8 63.4 68.3 142 Nepal 49.5 49.4 49.5
49 Grenada 65.5 62.4 68.5 143 Gambia 48.3 47.2 49.4
50 U.A. Emirates 65.4 65.0 65.8 144 Gabon 47.8 46.6 49.0
51 North Korea 65.1 51.4 53.1 145 Papua New Guinea 47.0 45.5 48.5
52 Venezuela 65.0 62.9 67.1 146 Comoros 46.8 46.1 47.5
53 Barbados 65.0 62.4 67.6 147 Lao 46.1 45.0 47.1
54 Saint Lucia 65.0 62.4 67.6 148 Cambodia 45.7 43.9 47.5
55 Mexico 65.0 62.4 67.6 149 Ghana 45.5 45.0 46.0
56 Bosnia Herzegovina 64.9 63.4 66.4 150 Congo 45.1 44.3 45.9
57 Trinidad+Tobago 64.6 62.8 66.4 151 Senegal 44.6 43.5 45.6
58 Saudi Arabia 64.5 65.1 64.0 152 Equatorial Guinea 44.1 42.8 45.4
59 Brunei 64.4 63.4 65.4 153 Haiti 43.8 42.4 45.2
60 Bulgaria 64.4 61.2 67.7 154 Sudan 43.0 42.6 43.5
61 Bahrain 64.4 63.9 64.9 155 Co˘te d'Ivoire 42.8 42.2 43.3
62 Hungary 64.1 60.4 67.9 156 Cameroon 42.2 41.5 43.0
63 Lithuania 64.1 60.6 67.5 157 Benin 44.2 41.9 42.6
64 FYRO Macedonia 63.7 61.8 65.6 158 Mauritania 41.4 40.2 42.5
65 Azerbaijan 63.7 60.6 66.7 159 Togo 40.7 40.0 41.4
66 Qatar 63.5 64.2 62.8 160 South Africa 39.8 38.6 41.0
67 Cook Islands 63.4 62.2 64.5 161 Chad 39.4 38.6 40.2
68 Kuwait 63.2 63.0 63.4 162 Kenya 39.3 39.0 39.6
69 Estonia 63.1 58.1 68.1 163 Nigeria 38.3 38.1 38.4
70 Ukraine 63.0 58.5 67.5 164 Swaziland 38.1 37.8 38.4
71 Paraguay 63.0 60.7 65.3 165 Angola 38.0 37.0 38.9
72 Oman 63.0 61.8 64.1 166 Djibouti 37.9 37.7 38.1
73 Turkey 62.9 64.0 61.8 167 Guinea 37.8 37.0 38.5
74 Colombia 62.9 60.3 65.5 168 Afghanistan 37.7 36.7 38.7
75 Tonga 62.9 61.4 64.3 169 Eritrea 37.7 38.5 36.9
76 Sri Lanka 62.8 59.3 66.3 170 Guinea-Bissau 37.2 36.8 37.5
77 Suriname 62.7 60.2 65.2 171 Lesotho 36.9 36.6 37.2
78 Mauritius 62.7 59.0 66.3 172 Madagascar 36.6 36.5 36.8
79 Dominican Republic 62.5 62.1 62.9 173 Somalia 36.4 35.9 36.9
80 Romania 62.3 58.8 65.8 174 Dem. Rep. Congo 36.3 36.4 36.2
81 S. Korea 62.3 59.9 64.7 175 Ctral African Rep 36.0 35.6 36.5
82 China 62.3 61.2 63.3 176 Tanzania 36.0 35.9 36.1
83 Latvia 62.2 57.1 67.2 177 Namibia 35.6 35.8 35.4
84 Belarus 61.7 56.2 67.2 178 Burkina Faso 35.5 35.3 35.7
85 Algeria 61.6 62.5 60.7 179 Burundi 34.6 34.6 34.6
86 Niue 61.6 61.0 62.2 180 Mozambique 34.4 33.7 35.1
87 St.Kits & Nevis 61.6 58.7 64.4 181 Liberia 34.0 33.8 34.2
88 El Salvador 61.5 58.6 64.5 182 Ethiopia 33.5 33.5 33.5
89 Moldova 61.5 58.5 64.5 183 Mali 33.1 32.6 33.5
90 Malaysia 61.4 61.3 61.6 184 Zimbabwe 32.9 33.4 32.4
91 Tunisia 61.4 62.0 60.7 185 Rwanda 32.8 32.9 32.7
92 Russian Federation 61.3 56.1 66.4 186 Uganda 32.7 32.9 32.5
93 Honduras 61.1 60.0 62.3 187 Botswana 32.3 32.3 32.2
94 Ecuador 61.0 59.9 62.1 188 Zambia 30.3 30.0 30.7





189 Malawi 29.4 29.3 29.4





190 Niger 29.1 28.1 30.1





191 Sierra Leone - 25.9 25.8

Time to talk about socialized health care

This is an excellent article (see below). I would encourage its widest possible distribution while noting several points that are not included based upon what I think is the most important point mentioned in this article other than what is demonstrated, the continued widespread support for single-payer universal health care which Obama and the Democrats have so effectively killed while manipulating public opinion to believe they would like to go with single-payer but they can't--- using a variety of lame excuses... the issue I think needs to receive greatest attention from this article is this statement:

“I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.”

The statement above also provides a very important opportunity to expand the movement for real progressive health care reform, if, picked up with single-payer some kind of "people's lobby" were to be created advocating single-payer as a first step towards socialized health care which could bring the required and needed maximum participation in this struggle by the American people to force this corporate bribed U.S. Congress to for once act in the best interest of the American people instead of the corporate interests they have been bribed to serve.



In addition, at this point, single-payer may not even receive the fake hearing that Nancy Pelosi originally agreed to give it since the only U.S. Congressman, House member Weiner, now appears to be reneging on the commitment he made to bring single-payer forward in Committee.



And this, below, is a very important statement as it completely refutes the lies begun by Sarah Palin now being peddled by the racist and fascist Tea Baggers and their Birchite and Klan backers:

Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.”

Unfortunately, Schmetzer proclaimed the following, below, which we all know is not true and will not happen unless there is a massive organized rank-and-file awakening across this country demanding such action because to date such talk has been just that--- talk, with no action to back it up:

Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.”

I would encourage each and every single worker paying union dues going to support the AFL-CIO to closely monitor this "warning" while taking action--- including open letters to Richard Trumka and petitions based upon this "warning"--- insisting that the leadership of the AFL-CIO makes good on this threat.



What are the issues not addressed in this article:



There is not a single mention by any of those quoted here, that these wars and militarization along with squandering trillions of tax-payers dollars building and maintaining over 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil is the single largest contributor to "deficit spending."



Perhaps Congressman Altmire had been challenged when he stated this; but, if he was, Davidson certainly was remiss in not reporting what exchange, if any, developed:

At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign.

Obviously, with Obama himself acknowledging that he has plunged our Nation on course towards a $9 trillion dollar federal deficit throughout his term of office should it be two terms, there is no government spending of any kind which would not rise to Congressman Altmire's definition of "increasing our deficit." Although, as previously stated, Congressman Altmire has no objections what-so-ever when it comes to squandering our tax-dollars on any and every military expenditure. .. all of which contribute to increasing the federal deficit.



It would have been very simple to have challenged Altmire at this point by insisting that he explain his complete and total disregard for using the same thinking regarding health care and militarism and war.



Let us be perfectly clear:



Single-payer universal health care is, for all intents and purposes, legislatively dead... dead because, with the help of the Progressive Democrats of America, Barack Obama killed single-payer at the time he made sure single-payer was not included in the National Democratic Party Platform.



The issue before single-payer advocates is not PROVING single-payer is a best alternative to anything that anyone in Congress or Obama has brought forward to date...



Like the 72% of the delegates to Minnesota's Farmer-Labor State Convention who endorsed a resolution for single-payer universal health care one can go to any nook and cranny in this country and find solid and unwavering support for single-payer universal health care.



Now, what we need is the kind of movement taking the kind of required action... some kind of very well organized massive "people's lobby" which brings forward into action all those supporting single-payer and the only way to get this kind of momentum is by expanding beyond the demand for single-payer to include a vastly expanded public health care sector, the cheapest and most efficient way to deliver health care: publicly funded, publicly administered and PUBLICLY DELIVERED... it is this public delivery we need to include to bring Americans out in full force to win progressive health care reform... and, let us be perfectly clear: public delivery of health care services has nothing in common with Barack Obama's and the Democrat's public option which will only benefit the middle class and the wealthy but will be of no use or value to the working class--- at least those workers making less than $60,000.00 a year... and I don't see many workers around making that kind of money in America today with so much of our basic industries having moved into high-profit areas over-seas.



The one and only real issue before us as liberals, progressives, the left and the entire working class is this:

How do we force Barack Obama and the United States Congress to pass HR 676 along with vastly expanding public health care? This is the only question remaining.

We know those Blue-Dogs like Altmire and most of the rest of the United States Congress including both the House (and more-so) the Senate are completely and totally opposed to single-payer. .. there is not going to be any "convincing" them that single-payer is anything other than the first step towards solving this health care mess... these health industry and wholly corporate bribed politicians are going to have to be forced to pass single-payer; my gosh, that won't even adequately fund VA, the Indian Health Service or even the National Public Health Service as mandated by the very laws they passed.



Given that Barack Obama's popularity in the polls is rapidly dropping; we have a "window of opportunity" of only about 14 months before we end up with a substantially more reactionary congress.



Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the AFL-CIO and Richard Trumka to not only withdraw their funding from these crooked and corrupt politicians who are only swayed by corporate bribes... but use these funds to create a worker's party free from the corruption of the Democratic Party, and build this new party on the basis of reordering the priorities away from war and military spending and towards meeting the needs of the people--- beginning with real health care reform... and, this is the message that working people should be delivering to the politicians of this country whether-or-not labor officialdom is prepared to act... there is no reason grassroots and rank-and-file activists who have been working for single-payer universal health care and peace and social and economic justice can't put what they have learned in these struggles together and come up with a very credible political alternative to this two-party trap that is only heald together by corruption, racism and war--- all those dirty things that every decent American is opposed to.



I notice from this article by Carl Davidson that the health related issue of some two-million casino workers emloyed in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights under state and federal labor laws in the Indian Gaming Industry is still not being addressed even though if anyone in this country seriously wants to talk about cutting health care costs, making these casinos smoke-free would be the place to begin.



I am convinced that our Organizing Council has always had the most appropriate position when it comes to single-payer universal health care and that it should be viewed as a first step towards socialized health care... had the entire movement for single-payer taken this stand, we probably wouldn't be "in a pickle today"... perhaps the difference between winning and losing this struggle for real progressive health care reform since Barack Obama and most of those in congress have been working for the Wall Street crowd so lavishly bribing them.



Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Check out my blog:
http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Cc: Maggie Bird
President,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Western PA vs. Blue Dogs:

Progressive Democrats

Take ‘Medicare for All’

To Congressman Altmire



By Carl Davidson

Beaver County Blue



Progressive Democrats and labor unions in the 4th Congressional District west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania held a special meeting on health care reform Aug 20 with Congressman Jason Altmire at the Beaver County Community College Student Union in Center Township. The roundtable discussion with Altmire was pulled together by the 4th CD Progressive Democrats of America (PDA).



The discussion was civil but the issues were sharply posed. If Altmire votes against the Weiner Amendment for single-payer health care (HR 676) when it comes to the floor in Congress in a few weeks, it won’t be because he hasn’t heard strong and passionate arguments for “Medicare for All.”



Seated around a large conference table were nearly 20 representatives of important grassroots players in the district’s politics—the Beaver County Labor Council, United Steel Workers union, the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, the Electrical Workers Union (IBEW Local 712), Western PA Progressive Network, Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Health Care, the PA Association of Staff Nurses, PDA, Beaver County Peace Links, and several others.



“We all know why we’re here,” stated Tina Shannon, 4th CD PDA Chairperson. “Our people are hurting. The economic crisis is taking away our jobs and health care, and the insurance companies are making matters worse. We want everyone here to speak their minds, so Congressman Altmire knows exactly what we want from him.”



Lou Hancherick from Democracy for America in Butler County started off by denouncing the current health insurance system as a “trap of the insurance companies.” “It’s really modeled on slavery, at least for many of us. You’re bound to your employer, even if it’s a lousy job and you have better prospects elsewhere. If you’re older or have what they call a ‘pre-existing’ condition, you often can’t get insured with a new employer. You can’t start a business, so it hurts job creation as well.”



Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.”



Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.”



“I know you’ve stated your concern for health care costs,” said Tina Shannon to Altmire when her turn came. “So I’ve done some research about how single payer has been rated over the years.” She delivered a wealth of statistics and a timeline going back decades showing that proposed legislation on single payer scored better than private insurance every time for delivering wider coverage at less cost.



Why does single payer win on costs, Shannon asked? “Because single payer doesn’t have to deliver profits to insurance companies. From 2000 to 2006, the insurance companies’ profits doubled. Kaiser alone reported that it paid some $96 million just to its top four consultants. For what? Think of what could have been done with that!”



Shannon was followed by Dr. Joe Talarico, an anesthesiologist from Zelienople in Butler County, and chair of the Western PA Progressive Network. Talarico focused on the quality of health care, arguing that the insurance companies had little regard for it.



“I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.”



“It’s been downhill ever since Reagan,” followed Sandy Moore, a nurse from New Castle, PA and a member of the Lawrence County Progressive Democrats. “Under our existing privatized system, we’re faced with more sick people and fewer nurses. From the things I’ve seen with school children ill and with no insurance, doing away with school nurses is truly frightening.” Addressing Altmire directly, she concluded with, “What’s the problem with people having an option to the insurance companies?”



Cathy Gatian, a PDA steering committee member and lab technician residing in Center Township, reminded Altmire of a recent painful episode in local health care, the closing of the former Aliquippa Community Hospital.



“Like the No Child Left Behind Act, this legislation you’re proposing, the ‘Quality First Act,’ would reward state-of-the- art, well-endowed urban hospitals and penalize already distressed small rural and non-urban hospitals. Quality healthcare is needed in rural and non-urban areas too. In Aliquippa, we benefitted from access to a community hospital built by the steelworkers. In the current market-based medical system, this gem in our industrial community was swallowed up and spit out by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Aliquippa Community Hospital is gone. It no longer exists. The building it once occupied is vacant.”



“By contrast,” Gatian added, “HR676 provides for regional allocation of operating budgets, capital expenditure budgets and reimbursements to clinicians. It also establishes the Office of Quality Control. Therefore with Medicare for All, small communities like Aliquippa, rather than being punished could enjoy the highest quality healthcare service.”



Next up was Janet Hill, from the USW staff and also a PDA member from Beaver, PA.

“We have a healthcare emergency,” Declared Hill. “Fifty million people have no health insurance, and lack of economic security has led to even more people having their care delayed or denied. Many companies are going bankrupt, and anyone employed at a bankrupt company loses their insurance.”



“Insurance companies are inefficient and wasteful,” Hill continued. “Twenty to 30 percent of health care dollars are going to administration and profit – not to health care. This is just a private tax by insurance companies on the majority of people who have health insurance. The American people wouldn’t accept that kind of overhead in charities so why should we in health care? Is there any benefit for the people being taxed? At least with gas taxes, I get to drive on the roads. No, it goes to people like Dale Wolf, the head of Coventry Health Care who made 20.86 million last year.”



Randy Shannon, PDA’s Treasurer, focused on the role of health care in the economy. “About 10 percent of all jobs, and 12 percent of all wages,” he explained, “are part of providing health care and maintaining its infrastructure. But the existing setup is irrational. If we had single payer over private insurance, the extra money going to healthcare instead of insurance would create 2.6 million new jobs and $317 billion in new business revenues. Direct healthcare spending of one dollar creates three dollars in the economy.”



Del Linville, a former Obama campaign volunteer, pointed out that most young adults do not have healthcare, but in other countries everyone is covered. “Where is our compassion? This is an uncaring system. Congress is not cutting costs by leaving the insurance companies in the system.”



Maryanne Weaver, a Democratic Committee member from New Castle pointed out that Altmire needs to take into account the needs of the people if he wants to get re-elected. She pointed out that his election was won by a coalition that included progressive and center Democrats that he cannot afford to lose. She also condemned the waste in insurance company advertising and profits and the $1.5 million per day lobbying expenses to prevent health reform.



Ed Grystar, the co-chair of the W. PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, and an organizer for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Associated Professionals pointed out that private corporations are taking over community hospitals and eliminating nursing staff and cutting pay and benefits to nurses. He added: "Real reform just can't happen under the domination of the insurance companies. They'll turn any public option into what we call 'junk insurance.' It's got so many holes in it and so pay co-pays that it's
worthless.”


"Their idea of reform,” Grystar continued, “is to force those without insurance to buy ‘junk’ insurance. More guaranteed customers for insurance companies, less real coverage, and more profits. It's a welfare program for them, while we get nothing worthwhile."



At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign.



“To your credit, you’ll get an up-or-down vote on single payer” Altmire continued, referring to the recent deal struck by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the twenty percent of Congress backing HR 676 and the movement behind them. “You’ve won that. But that also means HR 676 will be ‘scored’ by CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, as to what it would cost. They are tough, but fairly objective. If HR 676 comes out as not increasing the deficit, then I will have to look long and hard at it. But until it’s scored, we’re in a holding pattern.”



“Many of you here think I’m in the pocket of the insurance companies because of their donations to my campaign,” Altmire continued, dealing with that topic. “But let me assure you, that’s not the first thing I think of when the words ‘insurance companies’ crosses my mind.” He went on to tell how he was denied coverage for reconstructive knee surgery from old sports-related injuries.



Altmire also insisted he wasn’t simply a nay-sayer on health care reform. “I don’t want us to end up with nothing, for all the reasons stated here tonight.” He shared a story of a confrontation at a Town Hall session where “a very angry woman got in my face, very upset. She didn’t want to pay for anything for people who had no insurance. ‘It’s their tough luck, she said, they should have made better choices in life.’ I decided to reply by telling her that she was already paying for the uninsured, in the most inefficient and most costly way, when they showed up at emergency rooms.”



“She suddenly softened,” Altmire added, “and told me she had learned that was true after examining a bill for a recent hospital procedure she had been through. ‘I checked every item, and every one was way overcharged. When I asked why, they told me they had to charge more from those who could pay, to make up for those who couldn’t pay.’ So in this way, I could find some common ground that things couldn’t stay as they are.”



Despite being interesting and insightful, Altmire’s comments were hardly disarming to those at this meeting.



Tina Shannon responded that the true cause of the high hospital and other medical bills is the for profit delivery of healthcare and the insurance company overhead. Charlie Hamilton responded that we have a really good single payer system already – Medicare.



“We understand deficits, borrowing from the future,” said Randy Shannon, replying to Altmire’s central argument. “We also know that they’re not always bad. It’s one thing to go out and run up the credit card buying cases of beer. It’s something else altogether to spend and invest the public’s money in providing medical care and building new health facilities. The latter has a multiplier effect, adding new value and new growth in the economy that brings back two or three times the amount initially laid out.” Shannon referred Altmire to a new study on the role of health care spending as a positive economic stimulus.



Marion Prasjner, a PDA steering committee member from Raccoon Township, and president of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), followed up. “It’s not just about money. All these 45 or 50 million people uninsured—this is all wrong. In the steelworkers, we learn that we help each other, and only by helping each other, do we all get ahead. There’s a moral question here. It’s terrible, all these ads they’re running on TV—Me, me, me, it’s all about ‘me.’ All then all these people getting rich from it. It’s not about cost; it’s about greed. And that makes it a class struggle. If that’s what they want, so be it. They’re not going to win that battle. But thank you for listening, Congressman.”



As the session was winding down, Geri DeSena, a PDA activist from Aliquippa, took the floor. “We want to remind you that the city councils of both Aliquippa and Ambridge have passed resolutions in favor of HR 676, and they urge you to vote for it.” She handed Altmire his own official copies of the text.



Although Congressman Altmire was warned by several people not to support a bill that mandates citizens to buy private insurance without a low cost public option, he did not commit to voting against such as bill. He also did not commit to supporting the Weiner amendment. When reminded that HR 676 was actually a net revenue saver, Altmire stated that previous versions of HR 676 had spending caps while the present version did not. This statement is untrue, as there has never been a limit to healthcare benefit coverage under HR 676. Altmire also stated that a health insurance co-op would have the same value as a public Medicare option, although this position has been thoroughly discredited because the coops will not have the size to compete with private insurance.



Although the meeting did not move Altmire, it did show him that there was a wide and deep alliance of progressive Democrats and union members who expect him to support serious healthcare reform by expanding Medicare. It also served to strengthen the unity of the coalition fighting for healthcare reform in the 4th Congressional District. And it enabled the groups to come together and argue their positions for single payer healthcare.



Through efforts like these, and more to come, the popular alliance for decent health care for all becomes more conscious, more united and stronger and keeps drawing more allies to its side. Meanwhile those on the other side are more constrained, less credible and wind up painting themselves into a corner. It’s time for Altmire to consider the class nature of the vast majority of his constituents. Their interests are not the same as the insurance companies and banks that would sabotage and deny public health care for all. Otherwise he might find that his ticket of admission to the Blue Dogs has a very steep and not-so-hidden delayed price to pay.



[Carl Davidson is a National Co-chair of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism--- a small splinter group broken from the Communist Party USA as well as webmaster for ‘Progressives for Obama’

The United States has 800 military bases on foreign soil...

What we need--- instead--- is 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States where people can universally access, for free, all their health care needs from pre-natal care, to general health care to eye, dental and mental care right through to burial.

Instead of moving in this progressive direction, President Barack Obama and the United States Congress are moving in a most reactionary direction towards establishing military bases in outer space as they seek to insure the profits of both the merchants of death and destruction and the profit-driven health care industries... talk about skewed priorities and your wacky ideas devoid of common sense.

In addition to these 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil, Barack Obama and the United States Congress continue funding--- with our tax-dollars--- the Israeli killing machine to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

A network of 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States would create over four-million good-paying, decent jobs--- talk about your "economic stimulus" package!

We would be planting the seeds of socialism while helping to eradicate poverty as we keep people healthy and get them well when sick.

Think about this kind of solution in relation to what Barack Obama, the U.S. Congress and the Wall Street bankers and coupon clippers are offering the American people, and the peoples of the world... just what is the reason for bailing out the banks and AIG and maintaining more than 800 expensive U.S. military bases of foreign soil?

The Mt. Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada offers us a glimpse at what militarization and wars continue to rob us of.

The problems created by Wall Street will not be solved as long as the military-financial-industrial complex is allowed to squander human and natural resources on militarism and wars... we might just as well be dumping these resources out into the ocean... at least no one would die in wars.

These merchants of death and destruction must be stopped if humanity is to survive in a livable world.

The time has come to talk about the working class Marxist politics and economics of livelihood... capitalism has failed humanity miserably and left us a real mess.

Something for working people to think about and discuss around the dinner table... the capitalist sooth-Sayers certainly are not going to broach such solutions to the problems of working people as they hide behind the skirt of Rosy Scenario as this global capitalist economic depression intensifies.

Alan Maki

Why we need a comprehensive all inclusive People's Bailout

From school children going hungry to people without access to health care all complicated by a capitalist economic system on the "skids to oblivion," we need a National "People's Bailout" in keeping with the "Minnesota People's Bailout" to begin solving the problems of the working class.

This article appeared today...

As we travel down this short, bumpy road to perdition, the needs of working people are only an after-thought, when thought about at all, by Barack Obama and the Democrats...

Republicans have never had concern for anyone except the National Association of Manufacturers and the Chamber of Commerce...

Obama and the Democrats are now directly looking after the needs of Wall Street bankers and coupon clippers in a way these business organizations never could.

Here is one of thousands of such articles appearing about health care:

Obama's Billions for Health Care leave unemployed workers sick in the cold---


"Uncertainty over new health safety net for jobless"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090301/ap_on_go_pr_wh/stimulus_health_insurance

Associated Press Writer Erica Werner,

Sun Mar 1, 2009

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration rushed to include a health care safety net for laid-off workers in the recently signed stimulus bill, but has not told employers exactly how to make it work.

As a result, tens of thousands of jobless people could wait months before getting help paying for health insurance that their employers previously had covered.

"Too many people are still trying to figure this out," said Heath Weems, director of human resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. "There is a lot of confusion."

At issue is the program called COBRA, the acronym for the law that allows workers to keep their company's health insurance plan for 18 months after they leave their job, if they pay the premiums.

The policies are so expensive that only a minority of eligible workers sign up, often those with medical conditions that demand attention. Costs for a family of four can top $1,000 per month.

A $25 billion provision in the stimulus bill aimed to cut COBRA's price tag, reducing its cost by 65 percent for workers laid off as far back as Sept. 1.

The bill gives eligible workers 60 days to apply. Then they get the reduced-cost premium for nine months.

But it's not going to happen right away.

Employers are waiting for instructions from the Labor Department and the Internal Revenue Service on how to put the program into place. Both agencies posted some information online Thursday.

Until employers get the guidance they need and notify potentially eligible ex-employees, most workers will not apply for the new benefit. Many probably will not know it exists.

Left waiting are people such as Cassandra J. Kelsey, 55. The District of Columbia resident lost her job with Verizon in January. She says she can barely pay her rent and is eating less to save money to cover the $550 a month premium to keep her health coverage under COBRA.

Kelsey walks with a cane and lists a litany of ailments, including degenerative arthritis and hypertension. For her, going without health insurance is unthinkable.

Outside a D.C. career center on a recent morning, Kelsey clutched copies of her COBRA invoice, clippings from a local newspaper about the stimulus bill and a form letter she received from the White House after writing to Obama about her troubles.

Kelsey knew about the reduced premium and said it would bring her COBRA costs below $200 a month. But when she called her benefits department, she was distressed to learn that she would not be able to get the reduced cost immediately, probably not until May.

"I can't take advantage of it now which I think is totally unfair," Kelsey said. "I don't know how I'm going to make it."

The stimulus bill contemplated that workers might not get the reduced premium immediately, and contains a provision that would allow them to be reimbursed later on.

That would be little help to Kelsey and others who need the benefit now.

An IRS spokesman said the agency is moving as fast as it can. A Labor Department spokeswoman responded to questions with an e-mail linking to a short agency fact sheet.

One question that employers are struggling with is how to go back and find employees who were laid off as far back as September.

Also, the legislation says only workers who were "involuntarily terminated" are eligible, but never defines that term. Does it include only people who are laid off? Or those who take buyouts offered by their employers?

No one knows how many people will actually seek a share of the stimulus money to pay their COBRA premiums. Congressional experts estimated 7 million, but that may be too high.

Advocates fear that even cut-rate COBRA could prove too little, too late for some jobless Americans.

"For many people it will remain unaffordable," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.

Organizations and Government Bodies Endorsing HR 676

Contact Barack Obama... tell him you will settle for nothing less than H.R 676, Single-payer universal health care.

Tell John Conyers not to back out from supporting HR 676 like he did on Bush/Cheney impeachment proceedings.

Support single-payer universal health care as a first step towards socialized health care.


Organizations and Government Bodies Endorsing HR 676


Medical Organizations

1. American Medical Student Association (AMSA) (link)

2. Falls City Medical Society, Kentucky

3. Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association

4. Health Care for All Texas (link)

5. National Health Care for the Homeless Council (link)

6. Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. (link)

7. American Association of Community Psychiatrists

8. American Medical Women’s Association

9. National Medical Association

10. American Nurses Association

11. American Public Health Association

12. California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

13. National Association of Social Workers

Faith Organizations

1. Assembly of the Urban Caucus of the Episcopal Church

2. General Board on Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church

3. Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

4. Church Women United

State Governments

1. Kentucky House of Representatives

2. New Hampshire House of Representatives

Local Governments

1. Erie, PA

2. Baltimore, MD

3. Morehead, KY

4. Warren County, TN

5. Wilmington, DE

6. University City, MO

7. Lorain, OH

8. Oberlin, OH

9. Lorain County, OH

10. Louisville, KY

11. Santa Cruz, CA

12. Tuskeegee, AL

13. West Hollywood, CA

14. Ithaca, NY

15. Wilkinsburg, PA

16. Cortland County Legislature, NY

17. Bloomington, IN

18. Ulster County, NY

19. Indianapolis City-Marion County Council

20. Allegheny County, PA

21. Austin City Council, TX

22. Chicago, IL

23. Alachua County, FL

Political Organizations

1. Woolwich, Maine Democratic Committee

2. Single-Payer Action Network (SPAN), Ohio

3. Chester County Pennsylvania Democratic Committee

Civic/Community Organizations

1. League of Women Voters

2. Americans for Democratic Action

3. US Public Interest Research Group

4. OWL

5. Peace, Living Wage, Universal Health Care Coalition (Wilmington, DE)

6. Women’s Community Cancer Project (Cambridge, MA)

7. Patriots for Change (Chagrin Falls, OH)

8. Consumer Federation of America

9. Consumers Union

10. National Council of Senior Citizens

11. National Family Farm Coalition

12. The U.S. Conference of Mayors

13. American Library Association

14. Results

Labor Organizations

State AFL-CIOs:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland-District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Resolutions endorsing HR 676, Universal Single Payer Health Care, have been passed by the following union organizations:

1. Duluth (Minnesota) AFL-CIO Central Labor Body

2. American Federation of Government Employees Local 2028, Pittsburgh, PA, representing 1,700 nurses, other professionals & service workers at two Veterans Administration Hospitals

3. Plumbers and Steamfitters HVAC, Local 188, United Association, Savannah, GA.

4. United Steelworkers of America, Local 1693, Louisville, KY, amalgamated local representing 1,700 workers

5. Local 2322, United Automobile Workers, representing 3,800 workers in Holyoke, Massachusetts

6. Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 37083, Seattle, WA

7. Local 576, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Louisville, KY

8. United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 630, West Palm Beach, FL

9. Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), National Convention, Oct. 2003

10. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), National Convention, May 2006

11. Jefferson County Teachers’ Association (National Education Association), representing teachers in the public school system, Louisville, KY

12. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2629, AFL-CIO, representing Louisville Metro Government Employees, Louisville, KY

13. Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Hammond, IN

14. Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical, Energy International Union (PACE) Local 5-2002, Louisville, KY

15. United Steelworkers of America, Local 6787, representing over 3,000 steelworkers in Burns Harbor, IN

16. Local 506, United Electrical Workers, Erie, PA, representing 4,000 workers at GE.

17. Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Refrigeration Fitters, Local 393, AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA.

18. California State Pipe Trades Council, United Association, AFL-CIO, Sacramento, CA

19. Local 576 Laborers’ International Union Retirees’ Council, LIUNA, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY

20. Nurses Professional Organization, Louisville, KY

21. Independent State Store Union (ISSU) Harrisburg, PA

22. Local 2320, United Automobile Workers, Chicago, Illinois, representing nearly 4,000 workers across the country, primarily in legal services and human services.

23. Washington Chapter 10, The Retired Public Employees’ Council of Washington, AFSCME, Convention September 2004.

24. Steelworkers Active Organization of Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 31-9, Chicago, IL

25. Local 3310, Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing workers at Bell South in Louisville, KY

26. St. Joe Valley Project Jobs with Justice, South Bend, IN

27. United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), Pittsburgh, PA

28. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Chicago/Midwest Region

29. California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Oakland, CA

30. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Branch 84, Pittsburgh, PA

31. Local Lodge 794, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Albuquerque, NM

32. South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, San Jose, CA, April 2005

33. Community Action Program (CAP), 3rd & 4th Areas, Kentucky, United Automobile Workers (UAW)

34. Community Action Program (CAP), Southern Indiana, United Automobile Workers (UAW)

35. Local 1375, United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Warren, OH, April 19, 2005

36. Western Connecticut Central Labor Council, Waterbury, CT

37. Local 619, Graphic Communications Conference/IBT, Louisville, KY

38. Local 409, Plumbers and Pipefitters, United Association, San Luis Obispo, CA

39. Local 6355, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Missouri State Workers Union

40. District Council 62, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing public employees in Indiana and Kentucky, October, 2005.

41. Kentucky State AFL-CIO, Convention, October 2005

42. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), State of Michigan Employees, Region 1A, Retiree Chapter

43. Local #36, Sheet Metal Workers, St. Louis, Missouri

44. New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU), New York, NY

45. Central New Mexico Labor Council, Albuquerque, NM

46. Building and Construction Trades Council of St. Louis, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, MO

47. Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans

48. Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO Central Labor Council

49. Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, Cape Girardeau, MO

50. District Council 5, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, St. Paul, Minnesota

51. Local 2222, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Boston, MA. Representing 4000 Verizon workers in the Greater Boston area.

52. South Central Federation of Labor, Madison, Wisconsin

53. Local 675, United Steelworkers (USW), Carson, CA, representing workers in Southern California and Nevada

54. Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, Missouri

55. Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Pittsburgh, PA

56. Division 4, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Toledo, OH

57. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 20-20, Aliquippa, PA

58. Local 2320, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, NH

59. Local 2321, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), North Andover, MA

60. Local 2322, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Middleboro, MA

61. Local 2323, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cranston, RI

62. Local 2324, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Springfield, MA

63. Local 2325, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Northborough, MA

64. Local 2326, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Essex Junction, VT

65. Local 2327, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Augusta, ME

66. Kentucky Jobs with Justice, Louisville, KY

67. Lorain County AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Lorain, OH

68. Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Beaver, PA

69. Troy Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Troy, NY

70. Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council Collinsville, IL

71. United University Professions, Local 2190 AFT, New York State United Teachers Albany, NY

72. Cleveland AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH

73. Toledo Area Jobs with Justice, Toledo, OH

74. Washington State Machinist Council, International Association of Machinists District #160 (IAM), Seattle, WA

75. Greater Louisville Building & Construction Trades Council, Louisville, KY

76. Pittsburgh Airman Lodge 1044, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), Pittsburgh, PA

77. Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, San Jose, CA

78. Local 21 NABET/CWA, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET)/Communications Workers of America (CWA), Albany, NY

79. Massachusetts State CAP Council, United Auto Workers (UAW)

80. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, MD, DC, NY State, MA
New York, NY

81. AFSCME Retiree Chapter 36, Los Angeles, CA

82. Local 829 United Steelworkers (USW), Owosso, MI

83. Local 2-591 United Steelworkers (USW), Riverview, MI

84. PEF/encon Albany Steward Council (Public Employees Federation/encon) representing Professional, Scientific and Technical employees at the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

85. North Central Florida Central Labor Council, Gainesville, FL

86. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Ashtabula, OH

87. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Labor Council, Ashtabula, OH

88. Cleveland Painters District Council 6 Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH

89. Local 1000, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), New York, NY

90. Local 524, International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE), lens Falls-Saratoga, NY

91. Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council, Greensburg, PA

92. AFSCME Retirees, Chapter 1184, Sub-Chapter 109, Northwest Ohio

93. Albany Central Federation of Labor, Albany, NY

94. Butler County United Labor Council, Butler, PA

95. Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, 302 Centre Dr, Albany NY 12206

96. International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 17, Seattle, WA

97. North Shore Federation of Labor, Cleveland, OH

98. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), Michigan State Employees, Lansing, MI

99. Local 196, United Steelworkers (USW), Trenton, MI

100. Local 825, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), River Edge, NJ

101. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-1, Gadsden, AL

102. Tri-County Council of Labor, AFL-CIO, Henderson, KY

103. Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council, Bangor, ME

104. Pittsburgh Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Pittsburgh, PA

105. Philadelphia Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Philadelphia, PA

106. Organization of Staff Analysts (OSA/RT), New York, NY

107. District Council 37, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) New York City, NY

108. United Steelworkers (USW) Region X Spring Conference, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, March 2006.

109. Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, State Convention, April 6, 2006.

110. Branch 3126, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Royal Oak, MI.

111. San Francisco Web Pressmen & Prepress Workers Union Local 4N, IBT/Graphic Communications Conference

112. Ohio State Legislative Board, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Columbus, OH

113. Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY, April 2006.

114. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-36 F 5, Cape Coral, FL

115. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 7, Hickman, KY

116. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-2, Gardendale, AL

117. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-ABG 1, Kingsport, TN

118. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 1, Harvest, AL

119. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter Local 200 Retirees, Iuka, MS

120. Theatrical Protective Union (TPU) Local One, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE), New York City,
Westchester and Putnam Counties

121. Toledo Area AFL-CIO Council, Toledo, OH

122. Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Newburgh, NY

123. District 1199P, SEIU, Harrisburg, PA

124. Local 1155, UAW, Birmingham, AL

125. Lodge 1145, IAM, Selkirk and DeWitt, NY

126. Local 2334, AFT, Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, New York City, NY

127. Dayton, Springfield, Sidney, Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council, Dayton, OH

128. Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, Paramus, NJ

129. Local Lodge 141, International Association of Machinists (IAM), representing airline workers at Northwest, United, Southwest, and Alaska. Detroit, MI

130. Local 1549, AFSCME, representing 19,000 clerical and administrative workers for the City of New York

131. Local 1180, Communications Workers of America (CWA), New York, NY

132. Retirees Association of District Council 37, AFSCME, New York, NY

133. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 30-18, Plymouth, Indiana

134. United Steelworkers, USW District 7, Sub-District 4, Northern Indiana

135. United Steelworkers, USW Local 12775, Portage, Indiana

136. International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), San Francisco, CA, International Convention, May, 2006

137. Retirees Council, Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Paramus, NJ

138. American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Michigan State Convention, May, 2006

139. Local 544, United Auto Workers (UAW), Fisher Body, West Mifflin, PA

140. Northern Kentucky Central Labor Council, Covington, KY

141. CIRSU, New York, NY

142. Local Union 1183, United Automobile Workers, Newark, DE

143. North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Santa Rosa, CA

144. Greater Glens Falls Central Labor Council, Glens Falls, NY
Warren, Washington, Hamilton, and Northern Saratoga Counties

145. Local 50, Plumbers and Steamfitters, United Association (UA), Northwood, OH

146. Local 668, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Harrisburg, PA

147. North Florida Central Labor Council, Jacksonville, FL

148. District Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Jacksonville, FL

149. Pima Area Labor Federation, Tucson, AZ

150. Florida State Alliance for Retired Americans

151. Lodge 721, IAM, Jacksonville, FL

152. Austin Central Labor Council, Austin, Texas

153. Unified Union Partners, made up of union presidents from VISN 4 (Veterans Integrated Service Network) which includes 10 Veterans Administration hospitals and several VA community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in PA, Wilmington, DE, and Clarksburg, WV.

154. United Automobile Workers, International Union Convention, June 2006

155. Plumbers Local Union #17, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Memphis, TN

156. Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council, Paducah, KY

157. San Francisco Central Labor Council, San Francisco, CA

158. National Education Association (NEA), July 2006

159. Connecticut AFL-CIO, June 2006

160. Local Union 295, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Daytona Beach, FL

161. Ohio AFL-CIO, July 19, 2006, at Convention in Cincinnati

162. Central New York Labor Council, Utica, NY

163. Local 2313, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Hanover, MA

164. Hawkeye Labor Council, Cedar Rapids, IA

165. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 502, United Association of Journeymen and
Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada,
Louisville, KY

166. Local 1L, Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Graphic Communications
Conference/International Brother of Teamsters (GCC/IBT Local 1L), New Jersey

167. Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Cape Girardeau, MO

168. Local Union 136, Plumbers & Steamfitters, United Association, Evansville, IN

169. San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Riverside, CA

170. United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting
Industry of the United States & Canada (UA), International Convention, August 9, 2006

171. Washington-Orange-Lamoille Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT

172. North Dakota AFL-CIO, Bismarck, ND, State Convention, August 2006

173. Delaware State AFL-CIO, Newark, DE, endorsed August 2006

174. Washington State Labor Council, representing 500 local unions with 400,000 members, endorsing
resolution passed at State Convention, August 2006, Seattle, WA

175. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 11-3, St. Louis, MO.

176. Local 547, International Union of Operating Engineers, Detroit, MI

177. Mercer County Central Labor Council, Mercer County, NJ

178. South Carolina State AFL-CIO, 50th Annual Convention, September, 2006

179. Local 3, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Pittsburgh, PA

180. Burlington County Central Labor Union, Riverside, NJ

181. Wyoming State AFL-CIO, Cheyenne, WY

182. Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT, September 2006, State Convention

183. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), International Union, Washington, DC

184. Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), State Convention, September 2006

185. Champlain Valley Labor Council, Burlington, VT

186. North West Washington Central Labor Council, Bellingham, WA

187. Florida AFL-CIO, Tallahassee, FL

188. Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO, Newark, NJ

189. Local 9, Plumbers and Pipefitters, UA, Englishtown, NJ

190. Local 995, United Steelworkers (USW), Follansbee, WV

191. Jackson/Hillsdale Counties Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Jackson, MI

192. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, State Convention, September 2006, Milwaukee, WI

193. Local 6186, Texas State Employees Union/Communications Workers of America, (TSEU/CWA)
Austin, TX, September, 2006

194. West Central Florida Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Tampa, FL, Oct. 3, 2006

195. West Virginia AFL-CIO, Charleston, WV

196. Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council, Harrisburg, PA

197. Southern Maine Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Portland, ME Oct. 4, 2006

198. Ohio Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), State Conference, Oct. 9, 2006

199. Branch 82, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Portland, OR

200. South Dakota AFL-CIO, State Convention, Oct. 7, 2006, Sioux Falls, SD

201. Wabash Valley Central Labor Council, Terre Haute, IN, Sep. 20, 2006

202. Branch 104, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Lawrence, KS

203. North Carolina State AFL-CIO, Convention Resolution 14, September 2006

204. West Virginia Brooke-Hancock Central Labor Council, Newell, WV

205. Boulder Area Labor Council, Boulder, CO

206. Passaic Central Labor Council, Clifton, NJ

207. Local 327, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), August, ME

208. Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board, UNITE HERE, Chicago, IL

209. Hudson County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Jersey City, NJ

210. Missouri AFL-CIO, Jefferson City, MO

211. White River Central Labor Council, Bloomington, IN

212. District Council 1, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Denver, CO

213. Minnesota AFL-CIO, November 29, 2006

214. Michigan State AFL-CIO Women’s Council

215. Local 8498, United Steelworkers (USW), Winston-Salem, NC

216. United Labor Council of Reading and Berks County, Reading, PA

217. Massachusetts Nurses Association, Quincy, MA

218. Greater Madison County Federation of Labor, Granite City, IL

219. Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Rochester, NY

220. Local Union 176, United Steelworkers (USW), Rochester, MI

221. Local Union 314, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI

222. Local Union 389, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI

223. Local Union 2659, United Steelworkers (USW), Southgate, MI

224. Local Union 9491, United Steelworkers (USW), Hamburg, MI

225. Middlesex County AFL-CIO Labor Council, North Brunswick, NJ

226. Northeastern Oklahoma Central Labor Council, Tulsa, OK

227. Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, encompasses 10 county region,
parent body of 4 labor councils {Rochester and Vicinity (Monroe), Steuben-Livingston, Northern Finger Lakes (Wayne, Ontario), and Chemung-Yates}, Rochester, NY

228. Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), St Paul, MN

229. Local 73, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Chicago, IL

230. Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (IBEW)

231. Monroe/Lenawee County AFL-CIO Council, Monroe, MI

232. Local 2164, United Auto Workers (UAW), Bowling Green, KY

233. Local 264, Transport Workers Union (TWU), New York, NY

234. New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), New York

235. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1589, Long Beach, CA

236. Local 2779, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Gainesville, FL

237. Detroit A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Detroit, MI

238. Greater Lansing Labor Council, Lansing, MI, Feb. 7, 2007

239. Local 5668, United Steelworkers (USW), Ravenswood, WV, Feb. 5, 2007

240. Central Maine Labor Council, Waterville, ME

241. Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), Conshohocken, PA

242. Northeast Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Franklin, Clinton, & Essex Counties, Plattsburgh, NY

243. Local 546M, Graphic Communications Conference, GCC/IBT, Cleveland, OH
244. Southern Dakota County Labor Council, Apple Valley, MN

245. Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Austin, TX

246. Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, Cincinnati, OH

247. Retirees Club, Local 848, United Auto Workers (UAW), Grand Prairie, TX

248. Maine State Building & Construction Trades Council, Clinton, ME

249. Capital District Area Labor Federation, 11 NY counties including Albany, Schenectady, Troy,
Glens Falls, and Saratoga. Albany, NY

250. District 3, Missouri Nurses Association (MONA), St. Louis, MO

251. Committee of Presidents, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Washington, DC

252. Western Maine Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lewiston, ME

253. AFM Local 802, Association of Musicians of Greater New York, New York, NY

254. Smith County Central Labor Council, Tyler, TX

255. Savannah Regional Central Labor Council, Savannah, GA

256. Southern Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Ottumwa, IA

257. New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, Edison, NJ

258. International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council #4, Cheektowaga, NY

259. San Mateo County Central Labor Council, Foster City, CA

260. UAW Local 909, United Automobile Workers, Detroit, MI

261. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodge 34,
Columbus, OH

262. Central Connecticut Labor Council, Meriden, CT

263. Local Lodge 956 IAMAW, Archbold, OH

264. Western Maryland Central Labor Council, Cumberland, MD

265. Local 28 United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), Missoula, MT

266. Local 2222 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Annandale, VA

267. Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, Riviera Beach, FL
268. Maine State AFL-CIO, Bangor, ME

269. Local 862, UAW, Louisville, KY

270. Maine Council of United Steelworkers USW representing 22 locals in Maine

271. Michigan State Association of Letter Carriers, MSALC, NALC

272. Teamsters Local Union 559 (IBT), South Windsor, CT

273. Northern Virginia Central Labor Council, Annandale, VA

274. Local 1120 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Poughkeepsie, NY

275. Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Kansas, Wichita, KS

276. Greater Green Bay Labor Council, Green Bay, WI

277. Arkansas AFL-CIO, State Federation, Little Rock, AR

278. Local 561 Transport Workers Union (TWU), Virginia Gardens, FL

279. CANEL Lodge 700 International Association of Machinists (IAM) Pratt & Whitney,
Higganum, CT

280. International Association of Machinists District 26, Connecticut & Rhode Island

281. Connecticut State Council of Machinists of the IAMAW, CT

282. Greyhound Lodge 759 IAM, Jacksonville, FL

283. Local Lodge 1502, IAMAW, Superior, WI

284. Local Lodge 621, IAMAW, Ashland, WI

285. Local 3106, CWA, Jacksonville, FL

286. Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, Annapolis, MD

287. SEIU—United Healthcare Workers West, Oakland, CA

288. American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, 97th Convention, June 2007

289. Washington County Central Labor Council, Kewaskum, Slinger, Fond du Lac, WI

290. United Steelworkers, District 7, Sub-District 1, Chicago, IL

291. Big Sky Central Labor Council, Helena, MT

292. American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 212, Milwaukee, WI

293. San Antonio AFL-CIO Council, San Antonio, TX

294. Greater Hartford Central Labor Council, Hartford, CT

295. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 9777, Bridgeview, IL

296. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1899, Granite City, IL

297. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1636, Aurora, IL

298. Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Olympia, WA

299. Texas AFL-CIO, Austin, TX

300. Southwestern District Labor Council, Huntington, WV

301. Westchester/Putnam Counties Central Labor Body, AFL-CIO, White Plains, NY

302. Texas Building & Construction Trades Council, Austin, TX

303. El Paso Central Labor Union, El Paso, TX

304. Utah Jobs with Justice, Salt Lake City, UT

305. Big Bend Chapter, Northwest Florida Federation of Labor, Tallahassee, FL

306. Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Des Moines, IA

307. Local 477, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Miami, FL

308. Monongalia-Preston Labor Council, Morgantown, WV

309. Local 1445 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Dedham, MA

310. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Upper Marlboro, MD

311. Local 40, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners (UBC), Cambridge, MA

312. Arizona AFL-CIO, Phoenix, AZ

313. Alliance for Retired Americans, Washington, DC

314. Local Unions attending the Regional Council of United Steelworkers (USW)
in 11 western states, AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, Sept. 10, 2007

315. Tennessee AFL-CIO, Convention September 2007

316. Pierce County Central Labor Council, Tacoma, WA

317. Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Columbus, OH

318. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, Springfield, MA

319. Local 689 Amalgamated Transit Union, Washington, DC

320. Local 194 International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers AFL-CIO, Milltown, NJ

321. United Steelworkers Local 12-593 (USW), Magna, UT

322. Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Springfield, IL

323. Coastal Bend Central Labor Council, Corpus Christi, TX

324. Local Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists (IAMAW), Center City, MN

325. New York State Public Employees Federation (NYSPEF), affiliated with AFL-CIO, AFT,
and SEIU. Convention, September, 2008. Albany, NY

326. South Florida AFL-CIO, Doral, FL

327. United Association Local 699, Sprinkler Fitters and Apprentices, Seattle, WA

328. Greater Boston Labor Council, Boston, MA

329. Michigan AFSCME Council 25, Lansing, MI

330. Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, Ashland, OR

331. Portland Community College Faculty Federation, AFT Local 2277, Portland, OR

332. Oregon AFL-CIO, Salem, OR

333. Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 160, Williamsburg, VA

334. C. W. Post Collegial Federation, Local 3517, NYSUT, AFT, Brookville, NY

335. Ohio State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Cleveland, OH

336. Georgia AFL-CIO, Atlanta, GA

337. AFSCME Council 36, Los Angeles, CA

338. District 7, United Steelworkers of America (USW), Chicago, IL

339. National Legislative Committee for the Tenth Quadrennial Constitutional Convention, United
Transportation Union (UTU)

340. Oklahoma AFL-CIO, Oklahoma City, OK

341. Charleston Central Labor Council, Charleston, SC

342. American Postal Workers Union Local 458, Portland, ME

343. Kansas AFL-CIO, Topeka, KS

344. Illinois Federation of Teachers Universities Council

345. University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL

346. Colorado AFL-CIO, Denver, CO

347. Branch 4374, South Macomb Letter Carriers, NALC, Roseville, MI

348. Indiana AFL-CIO, Indianapolis, IN

349. Local 2-540 United Steelworkers USW, Alma, MI

350. Long Island University Faculty Federation, Local 3998, NYSUT/AFT, Brooklyn, NY

351. Southern Colorado Labor Council, Pueblo, CO

352. Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA

353. Local 502, Coastal Carolina Association of Professional Musicians, AmericanFederationofMusicians (AFM), Charleston, SC

354. Transport Workers Union, Local 564 TWU, El Segundo, CA

355. Branch 14, National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Louisville, KY

356. Local 5 International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Portland, OR

357. Oregon Area District Council, ILWU, Portland, OR

358. Portland Jobs with Justice, Portland, OR

359. Local 1535 AFSCME, Baltimore, MD

360. Northwestern Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Toledo, OH

361. United Academics, AAUP/AFT Local 4996, University of Alaska System, Anchorage, AK

362. Local 2026, Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia (AFT) Philadelphia, PA

363. Alabama AFL-CIO, Montgomery, AL

364. Local 1837, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, ME

365. United Automobile Workers Local 3303 (UAW), Butler, PA

366. California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Oakland, CA

367. Retiree Chapter, Local 3303 UAW, Butler, PA

368. Local 3, University Professional & Technical Employees, UPTE-CWA 9119, Santa Cruz, CA

369. Juneau & Vicinity Building and Construction Trades Council, Juneau, AK

370. Minnesota State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Vadnais Heights, MN

371. Local 1421, United Electrical Workers (UE), Pomona, CA

372. New Jersey State Federation of Teachers (AFT), Edison, NJ

373. Local 32 BJ, SEIU, Baltimore, MD

374. Local 31-N, GCC-IBT Teamsters, Baltimore, MD

375. International Organization Masters, Mates, & Pilots, AFL-CIO, Linthicum, MD

376. UNITE-HERE Mid Atlantic, Baltimore, MD

377. Baltimore Francis Stu Filbey Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU),
Baltimore, MD

378. Local 8-1165, United Steelworkers (USW), Baltimore, MD

379. Alaska AFL-CIO, Anchorage, AK

380. California Federation of Teachers (AFT), Burbank, CA

381. International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE), AFL-CIO,
Silver Spring, MD

382. Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), AFLCIO, Washington, DC

383. Local 900, United Steelworkers (USW), Rumford, ME

384. Communications Workers of America Local 9423 (CWA), San Jose, CA

385. United Steelworkers of America Local 10-1, USW, Linwood, PA

386. Office and Professional Employees International Union, OPEIU, NY, NY & Washington, DC
387. Tri-County Labor Council, Mount Upton, NY

388. California School Employees Association (CSEA), AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA

389. Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers AFT 2030, Santa Cruz, CA

390. Chemung/Schuyler Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO, Elmira, NY

391. Cayuga County Labor Council, Auburn, NY

392. United Transportation Union (UTU) International Convention, Cleveland, OH

393. University Professional and Technical Employees—CWA 9119, Berkeley & Los Angeles, CA

394. Local 1501, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cockeysville, MD

395. The United Educators of San Francisco, CFT/AFT #61, CTA/NEA, San Francisco, CA

396. Local 773, United Association of Plumbers (UA), South Glens Falls, NY

397. Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Los Angeles, CA

398. North Shore Central Labor Council, Lynn, MA

399. Local 223 Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Dearborn, MI

400. Laborers Local #210, LIUNA, Cheektowaga, NY

401. Local 621, United Workers of America, Island Park, NY

402. UAW Local 3044, Rockport, IN

403. New Hampshire State Building and Construction State Council, Hooksett, NH

404. Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1 AFT/IFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL

405. Local Union 1447, Amalgamated Transit Union, Louisville, KY

406. Steel Council of the United Auto Workers

407. Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lowell, MA

408. Local 543, International Association of Machinists (IAM), Baltimore, MD

409. Cattaraugus Allegany Counties Central Labor Council, Cattaraugus, NY

410. Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Central Point, OR

411. Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO, Philadelphia, PA

412. National Writers Union UAW Local 1981, New York, NY

413. Central Labor Council of Humboldt-Del Norte Counties, Eureka, CA

414. NYSUT-Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Co. BOCES Teachers Association, East Schodack, NY

415. Norfolk County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Braintree, MA

416. Plymouth-Bristol Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Brockton, MA

417. North Carolina’s State Federation Unit of the American Federation of Teachers AFT/NC, NC

418. Field Staff Association FSA, Delmar, NY

419. Southern Oregon Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Medford, OR

420. Brookline Educators Union, MTA, NEA, Brookline, MA

421. Crawford/Richland Central Labor Council, Mansfield, OH

422. Austin Community College/American Federation of Teachers, Local 6249, Austin, TX

423. Jefferson Elementary Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 3267, Daly City, CA

424. Indiana Federation of Teachers, Indianapolis, IN

425. Teamsters Local 805 IBT, Long Island City, NY

426. Local 716 United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters UA, Augusta, ME

427. International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 6 (ILWU), Oakland, CA

428. San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council, San Diego, CA

429. United Steelworkers Local Union 1026 USW, Canton, NY

430. Local 165 National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Frewsburg, NY

431. AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789, Seattle, WA

432. Western NY Area Local 183, American Postal Workers Union APWU, Delevan, NY

433. GFT, Guam’s Local Union, affiliated with AFL-CIO as AFT Local 1581, Hagatna, Guam

434. United Steelworkers Local 207 L (USW), Findlay, OH

435. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 770 (IBEW), Glenmont, NY

436. IATSE Local 297, San Diego, CA

437. Kent-Ionia Central Labor Council, Grand Rapids, MI

438. Carpenters Local 22, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners, San Francisco, CA

439. Ashland Area Central Labor Council, Ashland, KY

440. Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association, San Francisco, CA

441. Michigan State AFL-CIO, Lansing, MI

442. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 47, Monaca, PA

443. Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Washington, DC

444. GCC/IBT Local 612M, West Caldwell, NJ

445. Professional Staff Union Locals 751 and 754, Massachusetts Teachers Association, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Boston, MA

446. Montana AFL-CIO, Helena, MT

447. American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Washington, DC

448. Colorado State Building and Construction Trades Council, Lakewood, CO

449. United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, PA

450. Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Syracuse, NY

451. Nebraska State AFL-CIO, Omaha, NE

452. Musicians Union Local 6, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), San Francisco, CA

453. AFSCME Local 1212; Child Care Providers Together, Des Moines, IA

454. AFSCME Local 3214, Albertina Kerr Center Employees of Lane County, Eugene, OR

HR 676 real health care reform... don't settle for anything less

News articles report that Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has instructed the staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee to begin working on a comprehensive healthcare bill to be presented in the next Congress that convenes in early January.

The following letter was sent to Senator Ted Kennedy on behalf of the All Unions Committee for Single Payer Healthcare—HR 676.

We encourage all who receive this email to contact Senator Kennedy’s office urging him to offer single payer legislation modeled on House bill HR 676.

We urge you to do this as an individual and to ask your union to do so as well.


November 7, 2008

Senator Ted Kennedy
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Kennedy,

We understand that you are currently working energetically on a comprehensive health care reform bill to be introduced in the new session.

There are certain junctures in history when the obstacles of the past melt in the heat of a rising popular demand for change. This is one of those times.

You once proudly described yourself as “an old single payer advocate.” We urge you to return to that vision now when your tremendous influence could make this truly just and practical plan a reality.

Please consider the simplicity, cost effectiveness and humanity of a single payer plan which could be implemented comparatively easily as was traditional Medicare. Any plan that keeps the profit-making insurance companies in the mix will add layers of bureaucracy, will not be able to control costs, and will fail in the noble effort to bring good care to all.

We ask that you introduce, in the Senate, legislation modeled on HR 676, which has now gained the support of 94 representatives in the US House, 480 union bodies, 39 state AFL-CIO’s, 117 Central Labor Councils, 20 international unions, the US Conference of Mayors, the Houses of Representatives in Kentucky, New Hampshire and New York, and hundreds more cities, counties, faith groups and organizations that express the great hope and dire need of our people.

We urge you to be our Tommy Douglas, to lead the charge for nonprofit single payer universal coverage. The people will be with you. Surely we deserve the health benefits offered to the people of every other country in the industrialized world—all medically necessary care and freedom from the fear of economic ruin due to illness. It is only by moving to single payer that we can cut the waste while expanding the care.

We must not squander the opportunity of this momentous time. With your experience and stature in Congress and the nation, you are uniquely able to ensure that generations to come will enjoy the legacy of health care as a human right. Please say “yes” to single payer.

Sincerely yours,

Kay Tillow, Coordinator
All Unions Committee for
Single Payer healthcare—HR676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization
1169 Eastern Parkway #2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636-1551