WHEREAS:

America's health insurance crisis and the state and local budget crisis have each hurt the operation of health facilities, both public and private, across the country; and

WHEREAS:

Health facilities of all types, such as Health and Hospital Corporation hospitals in New York City and the Regional Treatment Centers in Minnesota have been hurt by the recession and skyrocketing health care costs; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME members everywhere have seen increasing demands for changes in governance of public hospitals, cost-cutting measures in private acute care hospitals, and a general trend toward privatized community care for many disabled individuals; and

WHEREAS:

The last session of the International Health Advisory Committee specifically focused upon changes in the health care industry and innovative methods of restructuring health care services and jobs to maximize job security, upward mobility and quality care; and

WHEREAS:

Councils and locals everywhere have struggled with health care industry restructuring and have created innovative methods of re-configuring both patient care and jobs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the International highlight successful examples of health care industry restructuring developed by councils and locals across the country and analyze the lessons of unsuccessful efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and the International Health Advisory Committee examine trends in the health care industry to alert councils and locals across the country to the opportunities and pitfalls of health care industry restructuring; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME work with members and health care management at all levels to stress the importance of continuous, joint labor/management decision-making to improve the quality of care; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International closely monitor collective bargaining, legislative, and political changes which might signal restructuring in health care services; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME work to ensure that any future national health insurance program protect the rights and interests of health care workers by providing for job security, joint decision-making and continuous quality improvement in patient care.

SUBMITTED BY:

Leo Spilker, Acting President
Susan Raby, Secretary
AFSCME Local 782, Council 28
Washington