Print This Page Email This Page

Health Insurance Reform:
The Facts, Questions and Answers
For Workers Who Deliver Public Services


March 30, 2010
from the SEIU Public Services Division
  
     SEIU public service members were a national force driving the passage of the historic health care legislation President Obama signed into law on Tuesday March 23, 2010.
     The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is an enormous victory for every working family who ever worried about how they were going to pay for their children’s health care, struggled in the face of medical bankruptcy or saw their dreams taken away by skyrocketing health care costs.
     SEIU members should be very proud to share this good news with their family, friends, and neighbors.

Click on the link below for The Facts: What Health
Insurance Reform Means to America’s Working Families

» Read the complete article:

Stern: American dreams still can come true

Washington
March 25, 2010

     SEIU President Andy Stern released the following statement upon the Senate's vote on the reconciliation fixes to the health reform law:
     "Hope. Progress. Change. There are many words that come to mind when thinking back on the long journey our country has taken to reach this day, but hope, progress and change keep coming back to me when I think about how far we have come.
     This journey was never easy - fundamental change never is. But we marched forward and we made progress. We did what generations have hoped to do. We changed our nation and declared healthcare a right."

Read Andy Stern's complete statement at seiu.org

Open letter to U.S. Senate from 180 organizations: Vote for health care reform

March 24, 2010
By Jessica Kutch, seiu.org

     Today, SEIU joined hundreds of groups and organizations across the country in signing onto an open letter to the U.S. Senate. The message was simple: a "no" on amendments is a "yes" on health care reform.

Click here to read the entire letter at seiu.org
UPDATE: Senate passes recondillation package (seiu.org)

President Obama signs health reform bill

Washington
March 23, 2010

     This morning the President made it official: things are going to change a bit between Americans and their health insurance companies.
     The President signed health reform into law, with a package of fixes not far behind, and in the process created a future for the country in which Americans and small businesses are in control of their own health care, not the insurance industry.

Watch the video and learn more (whitehouse.gov)
Video: Message from Andy Stern to SEIU members
Still tracking votes and taking names (seiu.org)
Landmark health reform bill signed into law (seiu.org)
Timeline of immediate benefits of health insurance reform

PRESIDENT OBAMA: THIS IS WHAT CHANGE LOOKS LIKE

0321obamabiden240

(White house photo / Lawrence Jackson)

March 22, 2010   
    The House voted last night to pass the most significant health reform legislation this country has seen in decades. And now, millions of Americans stand to benefit from lower costs, expanded coverage and tough consumer protections. 
   After the historical vote, the President, with Vice President Joe Biden at his side, spoke to the nation: VIDEO
    SEIU President Andy Stern reacts: It's a new day.
   The vote is one of the most important achievements by the U.S. Congress in a generation. And you made it happen. seiu.org.
     How did your representative vote? Find out and contact them.

» Read more

THE FINAL PUSH FOR HEALTH CARE: THIS MOMENT BELONGS TO YOU

hcrcallcongress242

by ANDY STERN
SEIU PRESIDENT
March 18, 2010
     "I'll vote the way my district wants me to vote," said Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) this week. If you don't think your voice matters, think again.
     There are more than 30 confirmed members of the House who remain undecided on health reform. These members are waiting to hear from you.
     Call your Congressperson at 1-866-311-3405 and report back on your call, here.
     The revised House bill was released today. A vote in the U.S. House could happen as early as Sunday, with the Senate not far behind. What does this mean to you and me? It means that health care reform is on its way toward final passage. It means that immediately upon passage, we'll be protected from many of the worst offenses by health insurers.

Click here to read Andy Stern's complete blog post (seiu.org)

» Read more

Health care reform update:
Tracking votes and taking names

March 17, 2010
By Jessica Kutch, seiu.org

     There's a ton of activity this week around health care reform, and more news is breaking every hour
     Today, alone, we learned the Rep. Dennis Kucinich will now vote "YES" on the forthcoming House health care bill, that Republicans are now launching an effort to repeal the bill - before it's even been introduced! - and that only 3% of progressives are against passing the Senate health bill.

Click here to read the complete article at seiu.org
VIDEO: Explaining reconciliation
VIDEO: Rep. Kucinich switches to a 'yes' vote (msnbc.com)
VIDEO: President Obama discusses health reform on Fox News

TELL CONGRESS TO STAND UP FOR US
AND NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES

March 16, 2010

     SEIU is launching a new barrage of ads today in partnership with Health Care For America Now, urging constituents to call their congressman and push for a "yes" vote on health insurance reform.
     One of the ads will be running in the district of Rep. Brad Ellsworth, Democrat, of Indiana.
     The key 'final' vote on the legislation could take place in the House of Representatives late this week.
     Remember, if the insurance companies win, we lose. It's time to pass health insurance reform now: You can do your part by calling the SEIU hotline at 877-264-4226. 

Click to read more and see the new ads (seiu.org) 

REAL HEALTH REFORM: NOW is the
TIME for CONGRESS to VOTE YES or NO

     Americans deserve real health reform and President Obama's health care proposal will deliver it -- for our families, our communities and our state.
     Here's how: 

   --- It makes insurance more affordable for more than 31 million Americans who can't afford care today -- and lowers the cost of coverage for many more.   
   --- It holds insurance companies accountable -- by keeping premium costs down and preventing insurance company abuses and denial of care due to pre-existing conditions. 
   --- It helps stabilize our economy. This legislation will reduce our deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years and by roughly $1 trillion over the second decade -- all by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.
         THIS TIME WE REALLY MEAN IT!!! THE KEY "FINAL" VOTE IN THE HOUSE WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN NOW AND EASTER.

    PLEASE CALL the SEIU hotline at 1-866-308-6259 to tell your Congressman to VOTE YES for real health insurance reform.

    Click below for a flyer with this information in pdf format.
    healthreformflyer     healthreformflyer

     

    Andy Stern: Time now for 'up or down vote'

    (March 3, 2010)

         After the President's remarks regarding the path forward on healthcare reform, Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern released the following statement:
         "For too long, insurance companies have called the shots - standing between people and their doctors. Refusing coverage because you were once sick. Denying you needed treatments because they say so. Dropping your insurance because you got too sick.
         "The President made clear today, no more. Insurance companies cannot and must not be the ones to determine our country's future."
         "That is exactly why it is time to move forward with the President's proposal."

    Read Andy Stern's complete statement at seiu.org
    President Obama: No excuses on health care reform (seiu.org)

     

    SEIU's Stern: Time for Democrats
    to move forward on health reform

    Washington
    February 26, 2010

         Today, SEIU released a statement from SEIU President Andy Stern after President Obama's healthcare summit:

        "During the Summit, 4,083 more people lost their health insurance. Another 708 filed bankruptcy because of their medical bills. And, thirty five died because they could not afford care."
         "By continuing to ignore the reality facing families across our country, the Republicans remain the party of no - abandoning bipartisan ideas and choosing to obstruct in the hope of political gain in the next election."
         "It is time for the Democrats to move forward."

    Click here to read Andy Stern's entire statement (seiu.org)
    VIDEO: A bipartisan meeting on health reform (whitehouse.gov)
    The misinformation campaign around reconciliation (seiu.org)
    How does the G.O.P. spell bipartisan? O-B-S-T-R-U-C-T (seiu.org)


    WE NEED YOUR HELP:
    TELL CONGRESS 'FINISH REFORM, FINISH IT RIGHT'

    healthcareadopt242

         While Congress waits to act, people are dying for lack of affordable health insurance.
         So here's the plan: Let's inundate Congress this Wednesday (February 24th) with one million phone calls, email messages, tweets, blog posts, faxes, social networking updates and office visits -- all in one day.
         The message is clear: "Finish Reform and Finish It Right."

    Click here to call your members of Congress
    Click here to email your members of Congress
    Click here to join a virtual march for health reform
    VIDEO: Melanie's march for health insurance reform

    » Read more

    SEIU: This president's priorities are our priorities

    sotu2010124

    (White House photo / Pete Souza)

    seiu.org
    January 27, 2010
          Following President Obama's State of the Union address, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued this statement: 
         "Tonight, President Obama gave a dramatic reminder of why so many of us joined his unprecedented call for change two years ago.
          The fact is, this president's priorities -- creating millions of new jobs, reforming our broken healthcare system, and holding accountable the parties that crashed our economy in the first place -- are our priorities.
          They're the priorities of the men and women across this country who get up each morning with no greater hope or desire than to provide decent lives for themselves and their kids.
     
    Read Anna Burger's complete statement (seiu.org)
    VIDEO: The speech (whitehouse.gov), Key moments (seiu.org)

    » Read more

    HELP SEIU RESCUE
    HEALTH CARE REFORM

    72hours242wide

    By Andy Stern
    SEIU President
    January 25, 2010

         We're at a critical moment. SEIU members have fought for nearly a decade on health care.
         Now, some in Congress want to turn us back. They want to pass a scaled-back version of the health reform bill, and as one blogger put it, "hack it to pieces."
         A comprehensive bill is the only way to fix the health care system - from expanding Medicare benefits and lowering health care costs, to improving rural care and home care services.
         Now we're in a position of having to rescue comprehensive health reform. If anyone can do it, it's 2.2 million SEIU members.

    Click here to call your member of Congress
    Click here to email your member of Congress
    Click here to post on Twitter or Facebook
    Click here to read SEIU President Andy Stern's full message

    Text HEALTH to 787753 for mobile updates

    » Read more

    HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE: WHAT
    WE'D LOSE WITH MARKET-ONLY REFORM

    By Jessica Kutch, seiu.org
    January 21, 2010

         With the election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate, many in Washington are debating how to proceed on health insurance reform.
         Some have floated the idea that passing an entirely new bill - one that contains only insurance market reforms - is the best way forward.
          While there is a case to be made for expediency (yes, we're all ready for Congress to finish the job), market-only reform is not just politically timid, it's borderline reckless.
         Insurance market reform would do little to address the chronic, systemic problems in our health care system.

    Click here to read the entire aritcle:  

    HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE: THE REAL STORY ON THE EXCISE TAX FRAMEWORK

    By Jessica Kutch, seiu.org
    January 15, 2010

         For the past 48 hours, the beltway press have woven together scraps of quotes and hearsay for stories about the excise tax. The week produced a lot of rumors - some true, some not - but most of which were decidedly premature.
         That was until yesterday afternoon, when labor leaders hosted a call with reporters describing exactly what framework had emerged from their talks with the White House.

    Click here to read the complete story
     

    MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS' MESSAGE
    TO WASHINGTON: IT'S TIME FOR ACTION

    Washington, D.C.
    January 19, 2010


         SEIU President Andy Stern released the following statement after Republican Scott Brown's victory in the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts:         

         "The reason Ted Kennedy's seat is no longer controlled by a Democrat is clear: Washington's inability to deliver the change voters demanded in November 2008. Make no mistake, political paralysis resulted in electoral failure."

         "Today's vote must be a wake-up call that now is the time for bold action. Time to stand up to politics as usual. Time to stand up to Republican scare and stall tactics. And time to speak up for working families."

    Read SEIU President Andy Stern's full statement
    VIDEO: SEIU's Andy Stern on the Massachusetts election

    'Affordability' called key
    in final health reform bill

    affordsummit240

    SEIU members in Washington on February 13.

    January 14, 2010
         Fifty SEIU members attened a Health Care Affordability Summit in Washington yesterday as part of a nationwide day of actions sponsored by SEIU and other organizations.
         Activists and leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to demonstrate solidarity on this critical issue and build support for common sense efforts to meld the best affordability provisions from the House and Senate bills.

    Click here to read more about the 'day of action'
    VIDEO: Health care tales from the trenches
    Click here to check out more photos from the event
    Background: A burgeoning consensus on fixing affordability

    » Read more

    TALKING HEALTH CARE OVER THE HOLIDAYS

        This holiday season, many of you will discuss health care with loved ones.
         That's because health care is a family issue. Families struggle together, we care for one another when we're sick, and we face down financial hardship as one.
         Did you hear a story from a family member about health care? Or perhaps you have a story of your own. Send it to your representatives in Congress

    Senate passes health care bill, 60-39
    The faces of health reform: How reform will impact SEIU members
    Q&A on the senate's excise tax on so-called Cadillace health plans

    Health Care Reform:
    Where do we go from here?

    Andy Stern medium

    A letter from President Andy Stern to SEIU members:

    (December 17)
    Dear Brothers and Sisters,
         I am writing to you today because I believe this is the moment when we must stand as one and say enough ...
         At the very moment that we saw real and meaningful changes within our grasp, one senator came forward to say "no we can't" ...      
         Now, more than ever, all of us must stand up, remember what health insurance reform is all about, and fight like hell to deliver real and meaningful reform to the American people.

    Click here to read Andy Stern's complete letter:
    Video: Andy Stern on MSNBC's 'The Ed Show' (12/28/09)
    Click for additional health care reform coverage at nytimes.com

    » Read more

    Senate votes to move forward with health debate

    caphill242

    (November 21)
         Democrats and independents closed ranks Saturday and voted to move forward with debate on landmark legislation that would overhaul the nation's health system.
         This is a major step in moving reform through a series of procedural hurdles -- with the ultimate goal being a full senate vote.

    Click for coverage at www.seiu.org
    Click for additional coverage at nytimes.com
    Click for additional coverage at washingtonpost.com

    » Read more

    HOUSE PASSES HEALTH INSURANCE OVERHAUL BILL

    pelosi242

    November 8
             In a tight vote, the House passed its sweeping health bill late Saturday, marking the biggest victory yet for Democrats in their drive to create near-universal health insurance.    

    Majority savors a historic vote (rollcall.com)
    House passes historic health bill (cqpolitics.com)
    Republicans take aim at Dems in health war (politico.com)
    VIDEO: House passes health reform bill (cnn.com)
    VIDEO: Obama on historic vote (msnbc.com)
    VIDEO: Fate of reform now in the Senate (msnbc.com)

    » Read more

    Adopt-a-State: Join our fight to win on health care reform

    healthcareadopt242

         SEIU is launching a campaign that mobilizes health care voters to make sure that the Senate, after months of work, does actually vote on health insurance reform.
         Such a vote could be blocked by three Democratic senators, Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln or Independent Joe Lieberman.
        While we all may not live in Louisiana, Nebraska, Arkansas or Connecticut, we can still reach out to voters who do live in those states and encourage them to contact the four senators. 

         To join our campaign, click below:
    Team Arkansas (Blanche Lincoln)
    Team Connecticut (Joe Lieberman)
    Team Louisiana (Mary Landrieu)
    Team Nebraska (Ben Nelson) 

    Make yourself heard in Washington: Tweet your senator
    Yes We Can: Watch SEIU's newst health reform commercial

    » Read more

    THE PUBLIC OPTION:
    WHAT TUESDAY'S VOTES REALLY MEAN

    by seiu.org, September 30, 2009
        The media is desperate for a story here - they're sniffing around for a new angle.
         Back in August, Republican opponents were declaring the public option dead. Health care reform, itself, seemed increasingly unlikely of passage. Well, no more.
         The public option has momentum, and despite dire predictions from the right, it's on the move. Thanks to your phone calls, we picked up two additional votes in the Senate's most conservative committee.

    Read more at seiu.org
    Video: Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on MSNBC's 'Hardball'
    Click here for additional coverage of the story on latimes.com



    PRESIDENT OBAMA: NOW
    IS THE SEASON FOR ACTION

    obamasouza002

    (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

    September 10, 2009,
    By L. Toni Lewis, MD
             With the president's speech and movement in congress, it's clear we now have all the pieces in place to move on real health insurance reform.
              This is OUR month. We have a plan; we have real solutions to this health care crisis. And it's time to ask each and every member of Congress whether he or she is in or out.
        
    Video: Watch Obama's speech (msnbc.com)
    Video: Sen. McCain reacts (msnbc.com)
    Read the text of Obama's speech (nytimes.com)
    Editorial: Obama steps forward (nytimes.com)
    Armed with details, Obama pushes plan (nytimes.com)     

    » Read more

    SEIU: Honor the Kennedy legacy, pass health reform

    TedKennedy242

    August 26, 2009

         SEIU President Andy Stern has released the following statement on the passing of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy:
         "In Senator Kennedy's America, every family has access to affordable healthcare, every worker has a paycheck that supports their family and a secure retirement, every child has a right to a quality education, and every immigrant can achieve the American Dream.
          "Kennedy spent his entire adult life, through tragedy and triumph, in pursuit of this America. From his first major speech in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to his last vote on President Obama's economic recovery plan, his vision of a more perfect nation never wavered.

    Click here to sign an online card to the Kennedy family
    Click here for a video tribute to Senator Kennedy at seiu.org

     

    » Read more

    SEIU's Anna Burger speaks on health care reform and the 'public option' on MSNBC

    August 21, 2009,  by seiu.org
         Friday on MSNBC, reporter Andrea Mitchell spoke with SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger about health care reform -- and why successful reform to contain health costs needs to include a public option.
         Hear what Anna has to say about moving reform forward in this country, and why co-ops are not a viable substitute for a public health plan option.

    Watch the video on YouTube:



    Cut through the lies about death panels, health reform

    palinlies001

    August 21, 2009

         It started with Sarah Palin and it's making it's way through the GOP echo chamber; opponents of health care reform are running wild with claims that the President's plans for health care reform will create "death panels" that would decide whether sick or elderly Americans live or die.
         Here's the truth: "Death panels" are a complete and total lie.
         Do you have a friend who's skeptical of health reform? Click here to fill out a form to get them connected to the truth. 

    » Read more

    White House launches Web site to battle reform rumors

    health001

    August 10, 2009

         Don't believe everything you read or hear about health insurance reform.
         There is a lot of misinformation being spread by defenders of the status quo.
         Find out what's in health insurance reform for you, and what's not in it at all at     www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

    » Read more

    SEIU, coalition rally for health overhaul in Chicago

    janschakowsky001

    SEIU Local 73 photo / Jonathan Labe

    August 05, 2009

         An estimated 700 supporters of the Health Care for America Now coalition rallied in downtown Chicago Tuesday to urge members of Congress to pass health care reform this fall.
         "We will rally until we win," boomed Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.). 
         The speakers also included Gov. Pat Quinn, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D.-Ill.), more than a dozen other political leaders, and represenatatives from SEIU, AFSCME and Planned Parenthood.

    Video: Gov. Quinn speaks at health care rally
    Video: Rep. Schakowsky speaks at health care rally
    Click here for more Health Care Reform rally photos

    » Read more

    Facts Are Stubborn Things:
    White House fires back in health debate

    August 04, 2009, by whitehouse.gov

         Opponents of health insurance reform may find the truth a little inconvenient, but as our second president famously said, "facts are stubborn things."
         Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the Internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions.
         In a new video, Linda Douglass, the communications director for the White House’s Health Reform Office, addresses one example that makes it look like the President intends to "eliminate" private coverage, when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

    Click here to read the blog and watch the video at whitehouse.gov

    The Play-by-Play on Health Care

    llOperation001

    What Happens Today. What Happens Tomorrow. Whether It Happens At All

    (July 30, 2009) Will they or won't they? Will we see new health care laws by Christmas? 

    Read more at abcnews.go.com

    HEALTH BATTLE'S TWO FRONTS: THE HILL, THE PUBLIC

         (July 29, 2009) The battle of overhauling the health care system is being fought out on two fronts, on Capitol Hill and in the arena of public opinion, and when it comes to public opinion, a batch of recent polls show a desire for reform but rising concerns about the proposals moving through Congress.
         One consistent theme is the disparity between public belief that an overhaul is badly needed, and anxiety among Americans about what changes will mean to them personally.

    Click here for coverage at cqpolitics.com
    Click here for coverage at rollcall.com
    Click here for coverage at seiu.org
    Click here for coverage at washingtonpost.com


        

    HEALTH PLAN TAKES STEP FORWARD

    healthwhitehouse

    July 15, 2009

         Health care reform took a first step forward on Capitol Hill Wednesday, as the Senate Health Committee approved the measure by a 13-10 party-line vote.
         The legislation eventually will be combined with a closely related, but somewhat different measure being prepared by the Finance Committee.
        
    Watch video at youtube.com
    More coverage at msnbc.com

    » Read more

    mrcgif
    Member
    Resource
    Center
    1-312-588-7630
    1-888-734-8573
    Send comments
    or questions
    to     mrc@seiu73.org
    facebooklogo125
    Become a Local 73 fan

    -------------------------------