Dear Union Members and Families,

This year, health care is on everyone’s minds as our premiums go up and employers continue to force concessions from us at the bargaining table using health care costs as an excuse. Our next president will play a large role in determining what direction our nation takes on health care reform. Drastic changes are needed, but they must be the right changes, the kind that live up to our principles and will help more families afford higher quality health care without sacrificing our paychecks and retirement.

One Thing is Clear: McCain’s Approach Does NOT Live up to This Standard. McCain’s proposal undermines existing employer-based health care and taxes workers’ health plans. McCain wants to “eliminate the bias” toward employer-based health care and instead push workers into the private market to fight big insurance companies on their own.

McCain’s Approach Will Reduce Benefits, Increase Costs and Leave Many with No Health Care at All. He promotes high-deductible health savings account plans that provide fewer benefits at higher costs. Left to police themselves, big insurance companies will cover only the healthiest workers, charge excessive premiums and limit benefits. McCain will let insurance companies avoid state consumer protections and refuse to cover people with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, leaving many unable to find affordable health care.

As you listen to the presidential candidates, think about who will best address the problem of 47 million people without health insurance. We need a president who will fight to make sure everyone has health care and keep quality up and costs down so we aren’t forced to continue trading our wages for health care at the bargaining table.

In Solidarity,
Marty Demaris
Woodworkers District W1