Public Employee Press

Health Care for America Now!

• Compare the candidates’ health plans

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

More than 100 national and local groups that represent labor, community activists, faith-based organizations and small businesses have combined forces to launch an unprecedented national campaign for affordable health care.

DC 37’s parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is playing a leadership role on the steering committee of the new Health Care for America Now coalition.

“We’ll be organizing, lobbying and building a grassroots army to make 2009 the year we win health care people can afford with a doctor of their choice,” said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee as HCAN was launched July 8 in Washington.

HCAN to mobilize millions
The campaign is planning to field 100 organizers in 45 states, send an e-mail “blast” to 5 million people and extend its reach with $25 million in national television, print, and online advertising. The drive has begun with a financial commitment of at least $500,000 from each of the 13 steering committee members and a $10 million grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies.

“HCAN will mobilize millions of Americans to demand that the next president and Congress enact quality, affordable health care for all in 2009,” said Campaign Manager Richard Kirsch. “We will ask members of Congress if they are on our side or on the side of the health insurance industry.”

Health care costs are soaring, the number of Americans with no medical coverage has hit 47 million, and someone files for bankruptcy because of medical debt every 30 seconds. Fixing the broken health care system has become one of the most pressing issues of the presidential race (see chart).

“If this national crisis isn’t resolved, things will get worse on the state and local levels,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. Medicaid faces a difficult budget cut as the state deficit approaches $7 billion.

DC 37 and other activists from the Health and Hospitals Corp./Municipal Labor Committee — a coalition of unions and management in city hospitals — have been battling the proposed Medicaid cuts, said Field Services Director Barbara Edmonds. DC 37 will work closely with the new coalition. Members who want to get involved should call Moira Dolan at 212-815-1470 or sign up for DC 37 Action Alerts at www.dc37.net.

“We don’t have time to waste,” said McEntee of the national campaign. “If you support quality,affordable health care for all, it is time to roll up your sleeves, get ready for work, and get on board.”