Labor and business leaders call for action on health

CWA President Larry Cohen joined this week with leaders of other business, labor and public policy groups to urge the president-elect to start immediately to address “the health system crisis.”  Fixing health care, they said, is part of strengthening the nation’s economy.

Cohen and the other leaders represent Better Health Care Together, a coalition that reflects CWA’s belief that the best way to advance health reform is to work with partners, especially with employers. The current system is placing increasing strain on both workers and companies, and we need to work together to fix what’s broken. 

The participation of business leaders adds an important voice to arguments that fixing health care can’t wait until the economy is stabilized.  Fixing health care is part of stabilizing the economy.

In a letter to the president-elect, Better Health Care Together said that “addressing the needs of our health care system is essential to the country’s long-term economic strength and prosperity.” Under the current system, the letter notes health care is becoming increasingly unaffordable, family medical debt is a major factor in bankruptcies and foreclosures, and business health expenses are soaking up money that could be invested to generate new jobs.

The open letter also appeared as an advertisement in newspapers, particularly those read by Congressional members and staff.

The coalition called for a “national summit” and “early action” to create a health system built around four key beliefs:

• Every person in America must have quality, affordable health insurance coverage.
• Individuals have a responsibility to maintain and protect their health.
• America must dramatically improve the value it receives for every health care dollar.
• Businesses, governments, and individuals all should contribute to managing and financing a new American health care system.

Three CWA employers – AT&T, Qwest and Embarq – are also members of Better Health Care Together. Other members are: employers: Wal-Mart Stores, Intel Corp., Kelly Services; labor: Service Employees International Union; policy: Committee for Economic Development, Center for American Progress, League of United Latin American Citizens.