2007

Economic Justice, Health Care, Press Releases, UFCW Values

CHILDREN

Nov 02, 2007

 Washington, D.C. – Despite passage in the Senate yesterday and broad public support, President Bush has threatened to veto a new version of a children’s health care bill that will provide coverage to 10 million children through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  This modified bill is a responsible approach to addressing America’s broken health care system, and another veto will further highlight this administration’s indifference to the plight of millions of children who are without coverage.

A majority of Americans believe that health care is a moral issue and that no American should be denied access to health care.  The president’s veto threat is another reminder of his callous disregard for the millions of American workers and their children who have nowhere to go for their basic health care needs.

More must be done to narrow the growing divide between the healthy and wealthy few and the growing population of American workers and their children who are struggling to survive without health care coverage.  The UFCW will continue to fight for health care reform so that all Americans have the coverage they need to lead healthy and productive lives.

 

 

Economic Justice, Health Care, Press Releases, UFCW Values

AMERICA

Oct 26, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House of Representatives gave America ’s uninsured children a second chance at a healthy future by passing a new version of a children’s health care bill, but failed to get the majority of votes necessary to overturn another presidential veto.  The new bill will cover 10 million children through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and tighten eligibility in response to concerns about the previous bill. While imperfect, this new bill is a good start to addressing our country’s health care crisis, and another presidential veto will further punish the millions of children of working parents who are without coverage.

For too long, America’s workers and their children have paid the price for a broken health care system.  While workers struggle to survive on stagnant wages, more and more employers are adding to that burden by shifting the growing cost of health care coverage to workers—forcing them to pay high out-of-pocket premiums, deductibles and co-payments.  These faulty health care plans are proving to be too expensive for working men and women to afford, and in 10 million cases, many workers and  their children have nowhere to go for their basic health care needs.

This new bill is a responsible approach to ensuring that children have access to quality health care, and another veto will signal the president’s indifference to the majority of Americans who equate access to health care with the pursuit of the American Dream, our country’s destiny, and each family’s well-being and future.  The UFCW will continue to fight for health care reform so that American workers and their children are able to live healthy and productive lives and realize the American Dream.

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Constituency Groups, Immigration, Press Releases, Social Justice, UFCW Values, United Latinos

HARDWORKING STUDENTS

Oct 25, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to protect the dreams of hardworking students. The DREAM Act would have allowed children of immigrants who have grown up in the United States the opportunity to apply for citizenship if they graduate from high school and complete two years of college or military service.   Despite the support of 52 senators, the failure to advance the DREAM Act punishes hardworking students.  It is a sad day when America sends the message to young people that their talents and service are unwanted.

Each year, tens of thousands of high performing children of immigrants who were raised in the United States—including honor role students, star athletes, and aspiring teachers, doctors, lawyers and U.S. soldiers—graduate from high school.  Despite their academic achievements, they are effectively barred from contributing fully to our communities.

America cannot afford to turn its back on an educated class of promising students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be upstanding members of our society.  Our current immigration policy has real human costs, and the UFCW will continue to fight for immigration reform that ensures that America’s workers and their children are able to improve their lives and realize the American Dream.

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