WHEREAS:

Health insecurity is an urgent issue for all Americans; the lack of a national, universal health plan to rationalize costs and the rise in uncompensated care has created a crisis in our nation's health system, escalating costs beyond society's ability to pay; and

WHEREAS:

The number of uninsured has surged by 4 million since 2001, with nearly 75 million, or one in three non-elderly Americans, uninsured for part, or all, of 2001 and 2002; and

WHEREAS:

Four out of five of the uninsured are workers or their dependents, with only 61 percent of active workers being offered coverage in 2002, a decrease from 2001; and

WHEREAS:

The number of employers that offer retiree health benefits has fallen from 66 to 38 percent in only 15 years, with 86 percent of large employers surveyed now planning higher cost sharing, and 20 percent planning to eliminate future retiree benefits; and

WHEREAS:

Governments pay 80 - 85 percent of the uncompensated care costs for the uninsured beyond Medicaid and Medicare, straining safety net institutions, health care workers, public health programs and general budgets that struggle with harmful cutbacks; and

WHEREAS:

The most persistent challenges in bargaining are health costs and the erosion of health benefits; workers pay 50 percent more in cost sharing than they did 3 years ago, and insurance premiums are rising at double-digit figures for the third year in a row; and

WHEREAS:

"Consumer-driven" or "defined contribution" health care plans are designed to reduce employer contributions by combining an employer-funded personal account or allowance with a high-deductible medical plan. Because employees hit the high deductible when their account is exhausted, consumer-driven plans limit employer liability and shift the risk of cost increases onto employees. More employers will push these plans as health care costs continue to rise; and

WHEREAS:

The 2003 Medicare law worsens the health crisis, providing a drug benefit for some while seeking to privatize the government-run Medicare program, prohibiting negotiated discounts, and weakening the nation's largest risk pool for the benefit of private corporations.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports the enactment of a national, quality health care system that covers all people, that could include employer mandates, single payer, expansion of public programs or other means to achieve the goal of universal access, and will fight against the corporatization of health programs and institutions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will push lawmakers to support universal access initiatives that facilitate the transition to national health care: expanding public insurance programs, strengthening employer coverage and public oversight, adequately funding providers, and pooling purchasing power to maximize efficiency and bargaining strength; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will urge lawmakers to reject block grants, health and medical savings accounts, and other "consumer driven" and voucher schemes that break up risk pools and shift responsibility from corporations to individuals and governments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates will work together and support coalitions to expand state reform initiatives, recognizing landmark victories to mandate health coverage and contain costs such as those passed in states like Maine and California as the building blocks for national health care; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work to elect candidates who share our health care goals and vision by educating members about the health care crisis, and mobilizing them to take action; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That as a representative of workers, as a legislative leader and as a strong grassroots force, AFSCME, and other large payers, will fight to turn our nation's health crisis around; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirms its support for a nation-wide single payer health care plans.

SUBMITTED BY:

Henry Nicholas, President and Delegate
Joseph Franklin, Secretary
NUHHCE/AFSCME District 1199
Pennsylvania

Ralph Palladino, Delegate
AFSCME Local 1549, Council 37
New York

Michael McHugh, President and Delegate
Tracy Kurowski, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3506, Council 31
Illinois