WHEREAS:

The health of all the people is really the foundation upon which our happiness and our powers as a state depend; and

WHEREAS:

Nothing is more important to us than good health; and

WHEREAS:

Access to health care is a problem which has grown dramatically over the last several year; and

WHEREAS:

Since 1980, the number of uninsured Americans has risen by more than a million citizens a year and current estimates are:

1. Thirty-seven million men, women and children have no health insurance,
2. Seventeen million others have inadequate health insurance coverage,
3. A majority of those without insurance are workers or dependents of workers — 70% are children; and

WHEREAS:

The federal government must act to make health care for all Americans available and affordable.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly support the Minimum Health Benefits for All Workers Act, Senate Bill 1265 and House of Representatives Bill 2508 or similar legislation which would require all employers to provide a minimum package of health care benefits to full- and part-time employees and their families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME, along with the AFL-CIO and its major affiliates work for passage of this legislation and ultimately muster enough support in the Congress of the United States to override a Presidential veto.

SUBMITTED BY:

Sue Zukowski, President
Bev Hermanson, Secretary
AFSCME Local 443, Council 28
Olympia, Washington