WHEREAS:

Health care costs continue to rise at an alarming rate. Today, medical costs in the United States account for 12% of the Gross National Product (GNP). Yet over 37 million Americans have no health coverage and millions of others have inadequate coverage; and

WHEREAS:

Most employers continue to attempt to pass the cost on to employees through increased deductibles, co-payments and premium sharing and by eliminating or reducing coverage of certain services. Increasing the costs to employees does not control medical inflation but merely shifts the costs; and

WHEREAS:

Although out-of-pocket expenses to health care consumers are rising. many health plans continue to lack important coverage such as annual physicals, well baby care, immunizations and health care screening. It is less expensive to prevent illness than to treat expensive medical conditions; and

WHEREAS:

Health care benefits are the major issue in many negotiations. Proposals to shift costs to employees place an unfair burden on many AFSCME members. Often, employees have no choice but to accept a lower level of coverage or give up coverage completely; and

WHEREAS:

The number of AFSCME labor-management health care committees has continued to increase in an effort to contain costs. These committees have assumed active roles in reviewing plan design and utilization, monitoring plan administration, developing educational materials, implementing cost containment provisions, and offering less expensive alternative treatment options to members; and

WHEREAS:

All Americans have the right to affordable quality health care coverage.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That health plans focus on covering health rather than covering illness. The introduction of preventive health measures should be included in cost containment proposals. Proposals should focus on providing adequate medical services in the most cost effective manner and not on shifting costs to employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals develop new labor-management health care committees where they do not exist, and where they do exist, continue to propose cost containment measures that save dollars rather than shifting costs to employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals work with management, other labor organizations, government bodies, businesses, and community groups to promote national health care legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals continue to seek ways to contain costs without shifting them to employees, such as precertification and mandatory outpatient surgery; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the International Union assist councils and locals in their efforts to contain costs while providing adequate health care for all AFSCME members and to extend coverage to all Americans.

SUBMITTED BY:

Bob Kramer, President and Delegate
Alberta Graham, Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2191, Council 8
Ohio