Health Care
Health care is increasingly one of the top issues for workers at the bargaining table. The health care crisis that affects working families is felt deeply by all. In 2003, over 600,000 Oregonians were without health insurance. Over 78% of these uninsured Oregonians are from working families. This has left many families forced to make choices between health insurance and putting food on the table.
Jobs with Justice's Health Care Committee works with labor on addressing the root causes of this health care crisis and works toward achieving universal health care coverage for all.
The Health Care Committee's main focus is on:
- Educating people on issues surrounding Health Care, the US National Health Insurance Act (HR676) and other related legislation through community and labor forums and outreach. See a summary of the bill. Portland Jobs with Justice has endorsed HR676.
- Fighting for health care as a basic right by keeping the pressure on legislators, decision makers and bosses through strategic actions and mobilizations.
- Assuring health care providers give their employees the respect, dignity and equality they deserve.
Health care costs in the U.S. are spiraling out of control, quickly outpacing wages. In 2005, wages increased 4 %, while insurance premiums grew by 15%. This has left an estimated 45 million people without health insurance in the United States—74% who come from working families. Approximately 1 million of those who lost their health insurance in 2005 have a full-time job. Children are profoundly affected by this crisis. An estimated 8.5 million children are without healthcare in the U.S. 70% of these children come from families in which at least one adult is working.
The loss of health care benefits has been particularly prevalent for working people of color—10 million Latinos from working families are without health coverage, as are 20 percent of the African-Americans and 18 percent of Asian-Americans in this country (Americans for Healthcare 2007). Most people fortunate enough to have any sort of coverage rely on employer insurance policies to reduce the load of health care costs. However, every year these costs increase and employers are putting more of the burden on the employee. Health care coverage has become a major source of leverage for employers at the bargaining table. This is an opportune time to unite campaigns, pledgers, and activists and stand for a national reform that helps bring health care for all.
Ways to Get Active
Get involved with the Jobs With Justice Health Care Committee.
Get involved with promoting passage of the US National Health Insurance Act (HR676)
Links to More Information on Health Care:
Health Care For All NOW - Before 9-9-2009
Organizing citizen communication to U.S. Representatives to get single-payer health insurance (H.R.676) passed into law before 9-9-2009 and our national health insurance cards before 10-10-2010.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Monitor, written/maintained by Oregonians for Health Security (an SEIU project). Learn the latest in health care happenings. Read their weekly newsletter.
Employees of Providence hospital working for fair election grounds rules in order to form a union.
HealthCare-Now! Advocates for Expanded and Improved Medicare for All (current Federal bill H.R.676, aka the U.S National Health Insurance Act)
United Nurses of Legacy Campaign to improve staffing ratios and hospital working conditions for the benefit of employees and patients.
