The 'Show Me' State AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676
Hugh McVey, President of the Missouri AFL-CIO, reports that this state labor federation has endorsed HR 676, single payer health care legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Missouri is the sixteenth state AFL-CIO to take this action. The endorsement was made at the states recent convention when Resolution # 14, introduced by the Executive Board, passed.
The Missouri AFL-CIO resolution notes that two thirds of the uninsured are in families in which at least one family member works full time and that infant mortality is much worse in the U. S. than in most industrialized countries. The resolution states: “H.R. 676 also restores free choice of physicians and provides comprehensive prescription drug coverage to seniors.” The resolution calls upon the Missouri delegation of the United States Congress to work with Congressman Conyers to enact H. R. 676.
The Missouri AFL-CIO represents over 500,000 union members and retirees in approximately 391 unions. HR 676 had already been endorsed by several of the states central labor councils, building & construction trades councils, and local unions.
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HR 676 now has 77 congressional co-sponsors in addition to John Conyers. It would institute a single payer health care system in the U.S. by expanding a greatly improved Medicare system to every resident.
HR 676 would cover every person in the U. S. for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care, chiropractic and long term care. HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and HMOs.
HR 676 has been endorsed by 212 union organizations including 53 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 16 state AFL-CIOs (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC & MO).
For further information, a complete list of union endorsers, or a sample endorsement resolution, contact:
Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care-HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636 1551
Email: nursenpo@aol.com
12/4/06