Health Care You Can Count On AFSCME’s Campaign for Guaranteed, Quality, Affordable Health Care for All

 Understand why our health care system is broken and needs to be reformed;  Learn about AFSCME’s Health Care for America Plan and campaign for reform.  Be able to advocate for AFSCME’s plan and explain why “you’re on your own” proposal won’t work. Workshop Objectives

But lately, we’ve been forced to sacrifice our wage increases just to keep our health care. We’ve bargained hard for our health coverage.

HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS WORKERS’ EARNINGS Premiums are going up 3 times faster than wages.

Our benefits are at risk. Here’s why:

The average annual premium cost for family coverage is now more than $12,000.

We’re paying more. And getting less. Higher co-pays and deductibles – more than doubled. And we have fewer choices.

Health care costs are hurting businesses and squeezing state and local government budgets. And that puts pressure on us at the bargaining table.

Skyrocketing prices also increase privatization and put our jobs at risk. Cost of Health Insurance Privatization

1 out of 6 dollars in the U.S. goes to health care.

And yet, 47 million Americans don’t even have health insurance. And that costs us more. For an average annual family policy of $12,000, more than $1,000 goes to the costs of the uninsured.

Rising costs hurt families. One in four Americans say their family has had a problem paying for medical care during the past year. Nearly 30 percent say someone in their family has delayed medical care in the past year. Every 30 seconds, someone files for “medical bankruptcy.”

Politicians in both parties have plans for changes. But will the changes be good for us? Everyone agrees that our health care system is broken.

Some want change to protect their profits. Insurance companies Pharmaceutical companies For-Profit HMOs Non-union employers

The insurance companies? They want reform that protects their profits – while denying people the care they need.

Where does the money go? Medicare Health Care 98% Administration & Marketing 2% Private Insurance Health Care 70% Profit, Administration & Marketing 30%

The pharmaceutical industry? They want reform that protects their profits – so they can charge outrageous prices for the drugs we need.

This is what AFSCME is fighting for: Guaranteed Quality Affordable Health Care We Can Count On

that builds on what’s best about America’s health care system and changes what doesn’t work. We want health care reform…

Control skyrocketing costs. Make coverage affordable for all. Our Goals for Reform Guaranteed, Affordable, Quality Health Care We Can Count On

1.Guarantee choice of plans – you can keep what you have. 2.Require employers to pay their fair share. 3.Government must be an advocate to control costs, improve quality, and keep the insurance and drug companies in check. 4.Offer you the choice of a public plan as an alternative to private insurance. 5.Guarantee comprehensive benefits and high-quality care for all. Health Care for America Guaranteed, Affordable, Quality Health Care We Can Count On

Some want reforms that protect the insurance and pharmaceutical companies… not working families. Politicians?

 Encourage employers to drop health coverage  Use high deductibles – up to $11,000 per year  Provide tax credit that pays only ¼ to ½ of premium McCain Plan You’re on Your Own

 No regulation of insurance company practices  No consumer protection, no guarantees McCain Plan You’re on Your Own

More McCain You’re on Your Own We would pay taxes on the cost of our health benefits.

You’re On Your Own The Bottom Line Shift coverage out of the workplace. You and your family pay more for less. Insurance companies can reject you. Does not control costs

How do they really compare? AFSCMEMcCain Health Care for AmericaYou’re on Your Own Builds on employer-based systemShifts coverage to individuals Government is an advocateAllows insurance companies to call the shots Choice of public plan as alternativeLeaves the choices up to the market. Group coverage so its affordableYou’re on your own

They can only win by spreading confusion and fear.

THEY SAY WE SAY It’s socialized medicine. You can keep the plan you have if you like it, and see the doctors you choose. It’s government-run medicine. You and your doctor will make medical decisions, not the insurance companies.

THEY SAY WE SAY Everyone gets to choose what’s right for them. If you like your plan, you keep it. If you want a change, you get options. It’s one-size-fits- all health care. Let the “market” do its job. If the market is what we have now, we need to change it. It’s what got us into the mess we’re in.

Our Winning Campaign We’re building a grassroots national movement for change powered by millions of Americans.

Talk to co-workers. Urge candidates and elected officials to support Health Care for America. Support my union in bargaining for health care. Fill out the card and take action! Join Us!

Find out how you can get involved. Get more details about AFSCME’s “Health Care for America” Plan afscme.org/academy