Health care reform is not just a moral imperative, but also an economic necessity. SEIU members pay the price of skyrocketing health care costs in their families and in our County hospitals and clinics. We cannot get our economy back on track without repairing the American health care system.
The urgent need for national health care reform is more apparent now in California than ever.
California’s Health Care System in Crisis: Get the Facts
Premiums rising: Health care premiums for family coverage have risen 5 times faster than wages in the past 8 years.
Employer paid health care under attack: The cost of employer-paid health care in Los Angeles County has more than doubled in that time. Nationwide, 11 million people have lost employer-paid coverage in the past two years.
Unemployment rising: Nearly half of Californians depend on their employers for their health insurance, and without an economic miracle, 506,110 California workers will lose their current health coverage by next year.
State budget cuts hit kids: State budget cuts approved in July 2009 will throw 500,000 California kids off health care, and prevent 250,000 more from signing up for health care. As of 2007 there were already 1,232,218 uninsured children in California.
Inequality rampant: African Americans, Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans face health care inequalities that lead to chronic diseases, shorter life spans and an overall lower quality of life.
Underinsured Californians feeling the bite: Approximately 6,555,000 people not eligible for federal Medicare spent more than 10% of their pre-tax family income on health care costs in 2008. 77.25% of those people have insurance, but are underinsured.
SEIU Health Care Principles
The message is clear: California’s families urgently need Congress to take direct action on health care reform. SEIU supports President Obama’s principles for real, affordable health care for all Americans:
> Provide affordable, comprehensive coverage for every man, woman, and child in America
> Build on the strong foundation of employer-based coverage
> Encourage continued innovation in prevention, wellness and disease treatment
> Lower overall costs, and increases the value of each healthcare dollar spent.
What Will Congress Do?
President Obama has made health care his #1 priority and challenged Congress to craft a plan that meets his principles. Congress is still far from agreement on a way forward, but real health care reform is within reach.
What Can You Do?
to keep up with the latest news, hear from members about why health care reform matters and take action.