AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka: Public Option is Make or Break for Real Reform
The AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka reminds Norah O'Donnell that without at least a public option there is no reform because the insurance companies have a strangle hold on the market.
From CBS News- Labor Draws a Line in the Sand On Public Option:
Labor leaders drew a line in the sand today, saying a health care reform bill must include three specific elements -- including a government-sponsored health insurance plan, or "public option" -- in order to win their support.
The AFL-CIO outlined its demands for both health care and labor law reforms at a meeting today at which it released a new survey of young workers. The data backs up its progressive agenda and attempts to give it a sense of urgency.
The "Young Workers: A Lost Decade" poll, conducted in July of this year, found that 31 percent of workers under 35 report being uninsured, up from 24 percent 10 years ago. Counter to arguments that young people do not want to pay for insurance, 79 percent of the uninsured said they do not have coverage because they cannot afford it or their employer does not offer it.
"Every day people are drowning from the cost of health care," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said.
Richard Trumka, who will replace Sweeney as president in a couple of weeks, said there are "three absolute musts" for health care: the public option, an employer mandate, and no taxes on employer-provided health care.
"That means we won't support the bill if it doesn't have the public option in it," Trumka said.
It must have the public option or single payer. It will not be reform if we don't have one or the other. Anything else will come up short. And of course the public will suffer for it. Besides, I voted for President Obama for universal health care, closing Gitmo, stopping 2 unnecessary wars, and hoping to prosecute Bushies like Nuremburg. None of the above has been done, unfortunately. So, he better get busy getting something done.
I whole-heartedly agree. A Public Option, preferably Single Payer Health Care Plan, like HR-676.
And Labor draws a line in the sand ... well, okay then.
By any chance does Labor have a Plan B?
I'm not talking about just withholding support for Democrats in the next couple of election cycles, which would likely put Republicans back into office. Is there going to be an alliance with the net-roots and liberal independents to support a 3rd party? Would it be a matter of throwing support behind one of the existing left-of-center 3rd parties like the Greens, or the Socialists, or would there be an impetus for the creation of a "Labor" party? Whatever the case, would there be a strong enough grassroots movement to facilitate a 50 state strategy -- a strategy that proved so successful under the astute leadership of Dean?
Just saying ...
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
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