District Council 37 endorses federal legislation
calling for universal healthcare

At the March 28th delegates meeting, the District Council 37 delegates voted unanimously to endorse federal legislation calling for universal healthcare. The bill, The United States National Health Insurance Act (HR676) is also known as the "Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Bill" and is sponsored by Congressman John Conyers.

"We are supporters of this bill because we believe that a new American national health insurance program creating a single payer health care system is crucial," said Executive Director Lillian Roberts. "Health care costs are soaring out of control for my members and for all Americans. The time has come for labor to speak up and join together with those who are trying to change our inefficient and costly fragmented health care system. I'm asking our members to fill out coupons calling for universal healthcare which we'll deliver to Washington. We need a single-payer system and we need it now."

The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care program that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans, guaranteed by law, will have access to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of employment, income or health care status. (See text of bill at http://www.pnhp.org/nhibill/nhi_bill_final.pdf)

"We will put all our resources and the institutional power of DC 37 behind this bill to ensure its success. We will encourage other unions and all those interested in doing something about the deplorable state of our healthcare system to join us in this effort," added Ms.Roberts.

District Council 37 represents 121,000 city workers and 50,000 retirees.