There are currently over 42 million uninsured Americans, and another 40 million who are under insured. Of the uninsured, seventy four percent are in families where at least one person is working full time. The uninsured includes twenty five million workers, who comprise eighteen per cent of the workforce. These are staggering numbers but we’ve known the magnitude of the problem for a long time because we have sons, daughters and friends who are not covered or have costly and inadequate coverage. And although we, as GE Workers, have maintained our health care insurance provisions, we’ve also been impacted through paying higher contributions and out of pocket cost for prescriptions and services. With few people left unscathed by our Nation’s inefficient, costly and fragmented heath care system; the time has come to change it.

On February 4, 2004, a group of the nation’s most prominent physicians and progressive leaders of Congress held a press conference to unveil a new bill, The United States National Health Insurance Act (USNHI, HR 676). This Bill will establish a single-payer national health program. The legislation proposes an effective mechanism for controlling skyrocketing health costs while covering all 42 million uninsured Americans. The bill also restores free choice of physicians to patients and provides comprehensive prescription drug coverage to seniors, as well as younger people.

HR 676 would reduce overall heath care spending by over $50 billion in the first year. In addition, because it implements effective methods of cost control, health spending is contained over time, ensuring affordable health care to future generations. In it’s first year, single-payer will save over $150 billion on paperwork and $50 billion by using rational bulk purchasing of medications. These savings are more than enough to cover all the uninsured and improve coverage for everyone else, including medication coverage and long-term care. Also, under this act, no co-pays or deductibles are permissible.

Post cards in support of HR 676 are currently being distributed through the shop. You can show your support for the National Health Insurance Bill by signing each card telling your representatives that you are "fed up with insurance companies and health care corporations ripping off working people." If you live in Erie County, one card should be addressed to Representative English, and one each to Senators Specter and Santorum.

During the January 29th, 2004 Membership Meetings, Local 506 Members voted to endorse Steve Porter for the 3rd Congressional District, a US House of Representatives seat currently held by Phil English. Candidate Porter, a Democrat, spent the last 20 years in education as a public school administrator and college professor in Binghamton, New York and at Mercyhurst College here in Erie. He is the author of over 150 published works including 17 books on education, fine arts and political philosophy.

Steve Porter was earlier endorsed by the Local 506 Legislation Action Committee who cited the vast differences between his platform and Representative English’s record.

Steve Porter wants laws to protect American manufacturing jobs by providing tax incentives for companies who stay and tax penalties for companies who leave our shores and supports Federal works projects for local firms to improve American infrastructure and develop renewable sources of energy.

On Health Care, Porter supports the Physicians National Health Insurance plan to cover all Americans. Porter has been active in the community participating with Local 506 in Jobs with Justice meetings and events.

Phil English voted to legalize the firing of workers for the "crime" of belonging to a Union (the so-called "salting" bill), English voted to repeal overtime pay, voted to expand job-killing NAFTA deal to 24 additional low-wage countries in Central America and the Caribbean region. English also voted for NAFTA for Africa and the China Trade deal.

On Health Care English voted against importation of less expensive prescription drugs and voted to increase out-of-pocket medical costs for senior citizens and to privatize Medicare (HR1). On December 10, 2003 the Local was involved with a Jobs with Justice event at Congressman English’s Office, we’re still waiting to hear back from him on our list of concerns.