By Will Parry
Two liberal senators have called for “full debate” on whether the government should create a health plan to compete with private insurance companies.
Senators Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Chuck Schumer of New York are openly challenging the bill being produced by the Senate Finance Committee under the chairmanship of Senator Max Baucus of Montana.
Baucus is proposing an ill-defined system of non-profit cooperatives as an alternative to a public Medicare-like plan run by the government.
Schumer pointed out that in 40 states more than half the market share is held by just two insurance companies. Anything less than a strong public option would lack the economic muscle to challenge such powerful, entrenched insurance oligopolies, he said.
“The lack of accountability and the unfair practices of insurance companies are clear indications that health care reform needs a public insurance option – to break insurance company control of the market, create real competition and give millions of people real choices,” Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is working to mesh two reform bills produced by separate Senate committees. The Senate Finance Committee bill opts for the cooperatives as a solution; the bill produced by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee would establish a strong public plan.
To create a single bill will almost certainly require a compromise between the two positions. The compromise that’s getting the most attention would be the enactment of a “trigger” provision that would allow insurance companies a window of opportunity to meet standards of accountability and fairness. If the industry failed to measure up, a public option would be triggered.
Meanwhile in the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has taken a strong stand on the issue.
“No bill can pass the House of Representatives without a public option in it,” she said. “The status quo cannot continue. The system is unsustainable in terms of the escalating costs…not only of health care, but also health insurance.”
Pelosi is working to develop a single consensus House bill that would meld versions produced this summer by three House committees. All three bills include the public option.
Meanwhile the Republicans in both houses have condemned all the pending reform bills while offering no constructive alternatives. Baucus’ efforts at winning Republican support for the Finance Committee bill were fruitless despite weeks of meetings seeking common ground.
Invisible but omnipresent throughout the debates are the powerful lobbies for the health insurance and drug companies. The Committee for a Responsible Congress reports that these companies spent $126 million on lobbying in the first quarter of 2009 alone.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) deployed 136 lobbyists and led the pack in spending. Dozens of former government insiders have been employed as lobbyists by PhRMA, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association, The Washington Post reports.
“The aim of the lobbying blitz is simple,” said the Post, “to minimize the damage to insurers, hospitals and other major sectors while maximizing the potential of up to 46 million Americans as new customers.”
Major players such as PhRMA and America’s Health Insurance Plans, playing the public relations game, have made vague commitments to curb the rise in costs. But they all oppose the one instrument that could truly keep costs in check: The establishment of a public option to challenge the untrammeled power of the medical-industrial complex.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
AFL-CIO Convention: Bold new initiatives
By Rap Lewis
Riding the energy of its spirited 2009 convention, the AFL-CIO’s newly-elected leadership team quickly launched a cross-country tour to listen to the rank and file and to deliver the fighting message of the convention itself.
President Richard Trumka, Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler started in recession-ridden Ohio with rallies in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus and Dayton.
Later, Trumka nailed Wall Street greed at a press conference outside the New York Stock Exchange.
“Banks and other financial institutions must be held accountable for making this mess that required trillions of dollars of our money to clean up,” Trumka said. “They must be held accountable for the pain they’ve inflicted on the families who face financial ruin – unemployment, wiped out pensions, foreclosures and bankruptcy.”
Hold Baker, the first African American to hold a top AFL-CIO office, led a march from Philadelphia city hall to the world headquarters of CIGNA, the health insurance giant. The CIGNA rally was one of many across the U.S. with the theme: “Big Insurance: Sick of it!”
During the convention in Pittsburgh, the entire delegate body left the hall to conduct a mass march and rally for universal health care.
The convention was notable for its emphasis on achieving diversity at all levels of union leadership. Women, minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people constituted 43% of the delegates. All 55 affiliated unions were required to send delegations that reflected the composition of their membership.
The AFL-CIO conventions of yesteryear, dominated by delegations of older white men, are history. In a nation whose people are a living rainbow of diversity, the retooled labor movement is determined to welcome the participation of every working man and woman without exception.
Indeed, it’s a new day.
Riding the energy of its spirited 2009 convention, the AFL-CIO’s newly-elected leadership team quickly launched a cross-country tour to listen to the rank and file and to deliver the fighting message of the convention itself.
President Richard Trumka, Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler started in recession-ridden Ohio with rallies in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus and Dayton.
Later, Trumka nailed Wall Street greed at a press conference outside the New York Stock Exchange.
“Banks and other financial institutions must be held accountable for making this mess that required trillions of dollars of our money to clean up,” Trumka said. “They must be held accountable for the pain they’ve inflicted on the families who face financial ruin – unemployment, wiped out pensions, foreclosures and bankruptcy.”
Hold Baker, the first African American to hold a top AFL-CIO office, led a march from Philadelphia city hall to the world headquarters of CIGNA, the health insurance giant. The CIGNA rally was one of many across the U.S. with the theme: “Big Insurance: Sick of it!”
During the convention in Pittsburgh, the entire delegate body left the hall to conduct a mass march and rally for universal health care.
The convention was notable for its emphasis on achieving diversity at all levels of union leadership. Women, minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people constituted 43% of the delegates. All 55 affiliated unions were required to send delegations that reflected the composition of their membership.
The AFL-CIO conventions of yesteryear, dominated by delegations of older white men, are history. In a nation whose people are a living rainbow of diversity, the retooled labor movement is determined to welcome the participation of every working man and woman without exception.
Indeed, it’s a new day.
Twelve gifts in one!
What better present for a friend than membership in our vibrant Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans?
Not only will your friend(s) receive this stimulating newsletter each month, they will have the opportunity to participate in actions like our enthusiastic picket at KVI; to give effective support to legislation and funding that assists seniors, our children and grandchildren; and to strengthen our organization’s voice in today’s great national debates and those that lie ahead.
Your gift of membership also helps us build the PSARA—and the greater our numbers, the more effective we become.
Help us achieve our goal of 150 new members in 2009. Give your friends and loved ones the gift that keeps on giving -- twelve times a year!
Not only will your friend(s) receive this stimulating newsletter each month, they will have the opportunity to participate in actions like our enthusiastic picket at KVI; to give effective support to legislation and funding that assists seniors, our children and grandchildren; and to strengthen our organization’s voice in today’s great national debates and those that lie ahead.
Your gift of membership also helps us build the PSARA—and the greater our numbers, the more effective we become.
Help us achieve our goal of 150 new members in 2009. Give your friends and loved ones the gift that keeps on giving -- twelve times a year!
A one-stop gateway to help you may need
If you’re a King County resident 60 or older, write down this toll-free number where you can find it: 1-888-435-3377.
By dialing it, you’ll reach a courteous, professional, highly-trained advocate who can link you to any of thousands—yes, thousands!—of resources, services and programs available to King County residents 60 or older.
Family members and caregivers can also use this helpful free service.
The program is Senior Information and Assistance. Its operators can refer you to such services as chores, legal help, Medicaid issues, nutrition programs, transportation, wellness and fitness, counseling, employment and health care.
Think of it as a free, one-stop gateway to help with your needs.
Advocates are at your service from 8 a. m. to 6 p. m. Monday through Friday. Or you can e-mail info@seniorservices.org. You’ll receive a prompt response.
Write that phone number down! You’re just a phone call away from being connected to the help you may need!
By dialing it, you’ll reach a courteous, professional, highly-trained advocate who can link you to any of thousands—yes, thousands!—of resources, services and programs available to King County residents 60 or older.
Family members and caregivers can also use this helpful free service.
The program is Senior Information and Assistance. Its operators can refer you to such services as chores, legal help, Medicaid issues, nutrition programs, transportation, wellness and fitness, counseling, employment and health care.
Think of it as a free, one-stop gateway to help with your needs.
Advocates are at your service from 8 a. m. to 6 p. m. Monday through Friday. Or you can e-mail info@seniorservices.org. You’ll receive a prompt response.
Write that phone number down! You’re just a phone call away from being connected to the help you may need!
Ed Coyle to speak at State ARA meeting
Ed Coyle, executive director of the national Alliance for Retired Americans will be the featured speaker at the annual meeting and convention of the Washington State Alliance for Retired American.
The convention will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at the Affifi Shrine Temple, 815 South Vassault Street in Tacoma, where the parking is free and the catering is excellent. For driving directions or other convention information, call (206) 448-0859.
A workshop on legislative issues will be led by Kathy Wallentine, past president of the Washington Education Association – Retired.
Delegates will elect a president, secretary and treasurer. Art Boulton, State ARA president since the founding convention in 2003, has decided to step down. Mike Warren, a long-time activist both in the Alliance and in the Retired Public Employees, has announced he will be a candidate for president.
The convention will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at the Affifi Shrine Temple, 815 South Vassault Street in Tacoma, where the parking is free and the catering is excellent. For driving directions or other convention information, call (206) 448-0859.
A workshop on legislative issues will be led by Kathy Wallentine, past president of the Washington Education Association – Retired.
Delegates will elect a president, secretary and treasurer. Art Boulton, State ARA president since the founding convention in 2003, has decided to step down. Mike Warren, a long-time activist both in the Alliance and in the Retired Public Employees, has announced he will be a candidate for president.
The sheriff ducked
Editor, Retiree Advocate:
Now that most of our congressional representatives have held public meetings to discuss the health care proposal in ball parks, public halls, union halls and stadiums, standing and facing interested, sometimes loud and questioning, members of the public, we point out that ONE member of our congressional delegation did not have the guts to face his constituents – so-called tough guy sheriff Dave Reichert. It may be that, having sold his vote some time ago, he really doesn’t give a damn what his constituents think. Or he may just not have the guts to stand up to people
Carl Schwartz,
Sammamish, WA
Now that most of our congressional representatives have held public meetings to discuss the health care proposal in ball parks, public halls, union halls and stadiums, standing and facing interested, sometimes loud and questioning, members of the public, we point out that ONE member of our congressional delegation did not have the guts to face his constituents – so-called tough guy sheriff Dave Reichert. It may be that, having sold his vote some time ago, he really doesn’t give a damn what his constituents think. Or he may just not have the guts to stand up to people
Carl Schwartz,
Sammamish, WA
Join us October 21!
The Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans as “a home for continuing activism” for working people as they enter retirement will be the theme of a gathering at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 21 at the Seattle Labor Temple, 2800 First Avenue.
Marilyn Watkins of the Economic Opportunity Institute will speak on “Preserving and Improving Social Security.” Other speakers are Robby Stern, Bette Reed and Will Parry. Light finger food will be served, and an open discussion of retirement issues is planned.
Marilyn Watkins of the Economic Opportunity Institute will speak on “Preserving and Improving Social Security.” Other speakers are Robby Stern, Bette Reed and Will Parry. Light finger food will be served, and an open discussion of retirement issues is planned.
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