Public Employee Press

Unionists HEAT up universal health care drive

With roughly 2.8 million people throughout New York State lacking health insurance coverage, DC 37 is preparing for a major campaign to engage members of the union’s Health Education Activist Team in the fight for high-quality, affordable universal health care.

Gov. Elliot Spitzer has promised to create a universal health care program this year for the state’s 400,000 uninsured children in families with incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. He has also pledged to examine plans for a universal program for uninsured adults.
DC 37 HEAT activists will play a critical role in the campaign to enact Spitzer’s program to fully fund the expansion of Child Health Plus, which President Bush blocked.

HEAT activists will also keep a close eye on the impact of Spitzer’s budget on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s budget for city health services at the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Health and Hospitals Corp.

The HEAT campaign should be in full swing by spring. The HEAT group will be working with the AFL-CIO in a national campaign and is planning activities in support of universal health insurance for National Health Care Month in April.

District Council 37 is asking members who want to join the campaign to protect health care for those who have it and to provide secure care for those who don’t to:

• Sign Up Online at
  http://www.aflcio.org/issues/healthcare/signup.cfm?source=afscme37
  

Find out more and take action today at : www.aflcio.org/healthcare