UFCW | Make Health Care Work for All Americans

Home » Working America » Fix Health Care Now » Make Health Care Work for All Americans

Make Health Care Work for All Americans

“Bottom line: contract negotiations are all about health care now. Unless something happens for health care nationally, I don’t see it getting anybetter.”
--Laurie Piazza, Local 4289

You don't need to look further than your evening paper or your nightly news program to know that Americans are in the midst of a healthcare crisis.

Today, Americans spend more on health care than ever before—more than most other industrialized countries—and the price of care is likely to go up. Despite what we spend, many Americans don’t get high quality care, or even the right kind of care. Many times, critical health care services are not easily accessible. And even when they are, millions of people can’t afford to pay for the care they need anyway. An accident, a sudden illness, even a sick child—just a few medical procedures or a week in the hospital can end in bankruptcy, even for people who areinsured.

Our health care crisis is a national problem that demands a national solution. In 2003, Congress passed a law creating the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group (CHCWG), a group of 15citizens with diverse backgrounds from across the nation. The group is charged with leading a nationwide public debate about improving the health care system to provide every American with the ability to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage. UFCW members have an opportunity be part of the solution to America’s health care crisis. Through the working group, you can talk directly to policymakers in Washington and tell them what works—and what doesn’t work—in our nation’s healthcare system.

Why you should take part:

Because as a citizen, you care about your health and that of your family, friends, neighbors, and community.
Because as a consumer, you care about having access to affordable, high-quality care.
Because as a taxpayer, you care about keeping the cost of healthcare under control, and you want it delivered as efficiently and waste-free as possible.
And because as a union member, you know that at the bargaining table it’s your health care that’s most at risk—and that fair wages and pensions are often put in jeopardy because of skyrocketing health care costs.

"Health care is a national problem, and our lawmakers should make it a high priority. It's costing people a lot of money, and it's costing a lot on a statewide and nationwide level."
--Elise Blazek, Local 428

To be part of this national effort, visit www.ufcw4healthcare.org to learn about what’s at stake, and about the UFCW’s four guiding principles for health care reform. Think about your own experiences in the health care system, and then send your opinions to CHCWG. In addition, in the coming months, CHCWG will be holding health care community meetings throughout the country where UFCW members will have a chance to talk directly to policymakers. By participating in the survey and in one of the community meetings, your opinions will be turned into a citizens’ action plan for the President and Congress to consider as they work to make health care work for all Americans.

Current Issue Archives

In this issue:
	Fix Health Care Now Index
	Rx for Health Care
	Make Health Care Work for All Americans
	UFCW Principles for Health Care Reform
	Facts About Health Care