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February 2006 Actions Against Classism
Demand that Big Businesses Pay their Fair Share for Health Care
ACTION: Support the Fair Share Health Care Act. Sign the petition to make sure your state passes this important legislation. To take action, go to: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/fairshare4healthcare
What's At Stake?
America's health care system is in crisis. Some of the nation's biggest, most profitable companies refuse to pay their fair share of health care costs for their workers. Millions of Americans are going without insurance and health care costs are skyrocketing. The irresponsibility of these companies that don't pay their fair share affects us all.
• It raises health care costs for Americans with and without insurance.
• It places a burden on taxpayers forced to pay to cover the company's uninsured workers through state and federal programs like Medicaid.
• It makes it harder for responsible companies to do the right thing and cover their employees while their competitors cut costs by dropping health care coverage.
But all across the country, city, county, and state governments are taking action by introducing versions of the Fair Share Health Care Act, which would require employers with over a certain number of workers to pay their fair share of the cost of providing health care for their employees. The new legislation gives employers a choice: either offer workers the industry’s prevailing level of health care or pay into a local fund that would provide it. The legislation would work to expand health care to thousands of uninsured people, while leveling the playing field for responsible businesses providing workers with care, all at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Last year, New York City Jobs with Justice spearheaded a coalition of unions, health policy advocates, religious leaders, community groups, business leaders, and activists to win the Health Security Act, city-wide legislation that was a model for the Fair Share Health Care Acts. Long Island Jobs with Justice also formed a coalition that passed similar legislation in Suffolk County. Maryland's state legislature has passed the first state-wide Fair Share Health Care Act (though it is in danger of being nullified by the Governor's veto), and now many states around the country are looking into developing legislation of their own.
By making large employers pay their fair share of health care costs, the Fair Share Health Care Act will:
• Alleviate the burden on taxpayers, who are stuck with the bill when Big Business doesn't pay its fair share of health care costs.
• Level the playing field between companies that provide good jobs and benefits and those that don't.
• Help states contain rising Medicaid costs.
The Fair Share Health Care Act is vital legislation that will make a real difference for working families and responsible companies that do the right thing and pay their fair share. Sign this petition to make sure your state passes this important legislation.
Information provided by:
Jobs With Justice: www.jwj.org
More Actions Against Classism...
January 2006: Continue Efforts to Stop the Classist Federal Spending Bill
December 2005: Stop the Classist Budget
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