WHEREAS:

AFSCME has a proud history of winning health coverage for its members at the bargaining table while supporting Congressional efforts for national health insurance; and

WHEREAS:

Opponents of government intervention have successfully prevented comprehensive reform while endorsing the free market and protecting those with a proprietary interest in the status quo; and

WHEREAS:

These policies have not held down costs nor increased access to services for the uninsured nor eliminated wasteful and unnecessary tests and procedures; and

WHEREAS:

Health care costs are rising 18-30 percent annually. It has become increasingly clear that individual labor/management cost containment strategies are not enough; and

WHEREAS:

State and local governments face additional hardships because they must not only provide insurance for their employees, but also finance Medicaid costs and provide services in public health facilities; and

WHEREAS:

The increase in the number of strikes over health insurance cutbacks is on the rise, and employer attempts to shift the rising costs to workers and their families through higher deductibles, coinsurance and premium sharing is commonplace; and

WHEREAS:

The cost-shifting inherent in the current system requires a national solution; and

WHEREAS:

The AFL-CIO has launched a national grassroots campaign to win national health reform and has developed a set of principles fundamental to any legislative proposal.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will participate in the AFL-CIO grassroots campaign and endorse its health plan principles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International Union and its affiliates make national health care a priority;and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME recognize health benefits as a major issue for unorganized workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will organize members to resist employer efforts to cut back health benefits at the bargaining table and mobilize broad community support for universal health care through the Jobs With Justice campaign; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will enlist employer support for national health care reform in our collective bargaining agreements, labor/management forums, and with appropriate employer organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will undertake activities to organize support among workers for national health reform. These activities would include sponsoring conferences and media events, the development of research materials, holding meetings with elected officials, and organizing appropriate political action campaigns; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work with local health care coalitions and national organizations in our efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will lobby for state legislative initiatives for universal health care; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That as part of our strategy to improve the delivery of health care, we will work to improve the wages, benefits and working conditions of health and medical care employees and to preserve the essential role of hospitals and other health care facilities serving a disproportionate share of the poor and uninsured.