For Immediate Release: Monday, March 22, 2010
Contacts:
Linnae Riesen, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, 425-306-2061 LRiesen@seiu1199nw.org
Adam Glickman, SEIU Healthcare 775NW, 206-295-9613 Adam.glickman@seiu775.org
Sudha Nandagopal, SEIU Local 925, 206-659-5079 snandagopal@seiu925.org
Rick Chisa, SEIU Local 1948/PSE, 360-791-6646 rchisa@pseofwa.org
Emily Sokolski, SEIU Local 6, 206-850-0487 esokolski@seiu6.org
Seattle, WA – The working women and men of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Washington State Council today expressed their appreciation for the leadership and courage Congressmen Baird, Dicks, Inslee, Larsen, McDermott, and Smith for standing up for real health insurance reform for Washington. Congress has done their part to ensure healthcare, and now SEIU members call upon Washington state leaders to raise revenues and support healthcare programs at home.
“By voting ‘yes’, our Representatives stood up for ordinary working families, took on the insurance companies, and turned back the myth that the status quo of skyrocketing premiums and insurance denials was the best America could do. We are proud to stand with these House members now, and we will be proud to stand with them in the future,” said David Rolf, President of SEIU Healthcare 775NW.
The House legislation will expand healthcare to 32 million uninsured Americans, halt insurance company abuses and discrimination, and deliver the largest middle class healthcare tax cut in history. As soon as the legislation is signed by President Obama, it will begin to deliver immediate benefits to working families in 2010, including:
- insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny care to children with pre-existing illnesses;
- lifetime caps on health coverage will be lifted;
- parents will be able to keep dependents on their insurance policies through age 26;
- and will close the ‘donut hole’ for seniors – the gap in Medicare drug coverage.
“Our janitors and security officers work in sectors that traditionally pay low wages and do not provide health insurance. We have fought long and hard for the health benefits that we receive and we thank our representatives for standing up for the millions of uninsured working people in our country,” said Sergio Salinas, President SEIU Local 6.
“Passing health insurance reform means families and patients will have control of their healthcare and increased access to the care they need,” Diane Sosne, RN and President of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. “Now, as our nation’s leaders are expanding access to healthcare, the nurses and healthcare workers of this state are calling upon our leaders to raise revenues and protect the healthcare programs we’re counting on in this Washington.”
The 100,000 members of SEIU in Washington state are turning their attention to Olympia where state legislators are deciding whether to cut healthcare and other vital programs, or raise sufficient revenue to protect healthcare. The national health insurance bill will help state legislators close the budget gap in Olympia and Congress’ legislation will give Washington state new access to matching funds for the state’s Basic Health Plan and assistance for disabled adults using GA-U.
“Our federal legislators stood up and found the revenue to expand access to health insurance and expand access to home and community based services for seniors and people with disabilities,” said Susie Young, a home care worker from Spokane. “Hopefully now our state legislators will do the right thing and raise enough revenue to prevent deep cuts to healthcare services here at home.”
"Congress has recognized that even in a time of economic crisis, we must take bold steps to protect the health and well being of working families in America," said Kim Cook, President of SEIU 925. "With this boost from the other Washington, legislators in this Washington must also take steps and raise revenue to protect childcare, healthcare, education and the economic security of working families."
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As the nation’s largest and fastest-growing union, SEIU represents 103,000 Washington State workers in healthcare, public services, and property services. SEIU members are fighting for good jobs, safer staffing levels in hospitals and nursing homes, and for quality, reliable public services.
With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers -- not just corporations and CEOs -- benefit from today's global economy.