For Immediate Release: October 1, 2004
Contact: Fred Pfeiffer, w 482-5595, c 669-5299

Unions, reform organizations unite in national week of action for affordable health care for all

Next week, the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition, along with the Capital District Area Labor Federation and others will release a new study showing that savings from cutting private insurance and drug industry waste could fund health care for all.

On Thursday, October 7, the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition, a Jobs with Justice affiliate, will release the research report at a news conference at 11:45 a.m. in front of the Albany Labor Temple at 890 Third Street. The report shows how the money wasted on private insurance red tape and protecting drug company super-profits in New York State could be used to provide affordable health care. The report shows the excess administrative costs of private insurance in New York State over a "Medicare for All" style plan and the savings achieved by forcing drug companies to sell in a more competitive market.

The cost of providing health care to employees rose by 11.2 percent this year, the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases. The increases in the cost of health insurance are more than five times the rise in workers' pay. "The current system is clearly failing working families," said Joe Fox, President of the Capital District Area Labor Federation. "It's time to hold our elected leaders accountable and demand a health plan that affordably and fairly covers everyone."

Union members and health care reform activists from Jobs with Justice coalitions throughout the nation have organized "Health Care Action Week" October 3 - 10. This movement will turn up the heat on all candidates running for office to publicly say what they will do about the health care crisis before the Nov. 2 election. Actions next week include rallies and marches, educational forums, town hall style forums and press conferences in dozens of cities nationwide.

In March of this year, union members and reform activists wore stickers in a national day of unity for health care for all. In June, unions and Rock the Vote mobilized thousands of people nationwide for marches and rallies to "bridge the gap" for health care for all.

The Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition/ Jobs with Justice is a network of faith groups, unions and community organizations linking local, national and international campaigns that promote justice for low-wage workers. The organization is one of eleven affiliates of the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition. Health Care Action Week is sponsored by eleven unions and nine national health care reform organizations.

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