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Big Business + Bad Medicine = Health Care Crisis |
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In a new study released this month, the Employee Benefit Research Institute reported that in 2005, 50 percent of workers were employed at companies that did not offer health benefits to any workers. Nearly 18 percent worked for employers that provided benefits to other employees, but they were not eligible themselves. Nearly one-third were offered benefits but chose not to participate for various reasons.
Employer-based groups now make up nearly 90 percent of the private health insurance market and offer coverage to more than 172 million workers, retirees and their families.
Big Business interests like the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Business Roundtable, Financial Services Roundtable and others should help find a solution to the high cost of health care—and not be part of the problem.
But these Big Business groups support proposals that push working families into high-deductible plans and health savings accounts (HSAs) that shift the cost of health care onto individuals and families. These “pay more/get less” programs are not the answer to the health care crisis.
Join Working America and the AFL-CIO in this national conversation by visiting our new “In the Heart of the Health Care Hustle” website. Share your own health care nightmare or read stories by others.
Here’s a sample from “Anonymous,” on the plight of part-timers:
I am 28 years old, have a masters degree in library science, and maintain 2 part-time jobs in the field because it’s difficult to find full-time work in libraries these days. So, even though I’m technically working full-time hours, I don’t have medical benefits. I’ve had a bad chest cold for over a month now, but one trip to the doctor’s office + prescriptions put me over $200. I need to go back because I’m not getting better, but I don’t have the money. I just think it stinks that even someone with a higher education can’t secure a job with medical benefits in this country. Part-timers deserve insurance too!
Click here to read more about how Big Business is blocking meaningful health care reform and to take action. Or click here to visit the “Health Care Hustle” home page.
4 Comments
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The answer to solving much of the Health Care crisis in America (which is long time problem) is to adopt a Universal Health Care system (like HR 676). HR 676 is currently the best proposal on the table for average citizens.
Now, will adoptation of 676 cause some problems? Yes indeed, for cutting into the profits and pay of all the major insurance companies and drug manufacturing folks will be a crisis for them.
There is no rush for this reform unfortunately. That is because Americans have deep pockets and some do not care that some of the other citizens have third world health care or none at all.
Yes there is a viable solution to the crisis in our healthcare system! Democratic Congressman John Conyers reintroduced H.R. 676 the only viable legislative solution ever introduced to the Congress! 676 has the backing of over 230 labor organizations across the nation, the Board of Church & Society of the United Methodist Church, Physicians For a National Health Program and Latinos For a National Health Plan.
We must contact our U.S. Congress person and make sure that they get behind this most important piece of legislation! We must make universal healthcare a reality for ALL!
ChicanoWobbly, is right on point.
The Corporatists and the For Profit Health Care advocates had their change to create a viable health care system for all. They failed because of their greed.
No more double talking for profit scams, that cost too much moneyand provide too little services.
It is time for a Single Payer Universal Health Care system for all Americans. All americans deserve free tax based supported quality health care.
Workers
We must emphasize BOTH individual AND institutional prevention.
Good wage,healthy, safe,and meaningful jobs for ALL able Americans are more important than expensive medical care.
Don’t get duped by the greedy and bloated medical industry.
See my blog at http://medicalcrises.blogspot.com
Dr. Rick lippin