AFSCME - Senate HELP Bill Builds on the Strength of our American Health Care System

Washington, D.C. — AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee issued the following statement praising the health care reform legislation released today by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee:

“This bill goes a long way in making quality, affordable health care for all a reality this year. The HELP bill builds on the strength of our American health care system by requiring all employers to participate in providing coverage to their workers. It includes a strong and effective public health insurance option to lower costs and keep the insurance industry honest. The bill will inject competition into a marketplace where coverage is too expensive and often of poor quality. It gives consumers an affordable, high quality choice. We look forward to working closely with members of the committee and others on Capitol Hill to produce a bill that will fix health care this year.”

AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations – from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers – AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

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American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-5687
Telephone (202) 429-1145
Fax (202) 429-1120