http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/ en CWA Health Care Voices Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T14:32:11+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/sarah-palin-and-rush-limbaugh-reaching-for-socialized-medicine/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/sarah-palin-and-rush-limbaugh-reaching-for-socialized-medicine/ Usually, we try our best here to explain things. But there are some things we just can't explain. Sarah Palin recently said she at times has gone to Canada to receive health treatment. And Rush Limbaugh said that if health reform passes, he'd move to Costa Rica – a country that offers universal coverage with the government paying for care for the unemployed. Government Role 2010-03-11T14:32:11+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/thousands-of-activists-confront-insurance-company-executives/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/thousands-of-activists-confront-insurance-company-executives/ Thousands of activists – many from CWA and other unions – marched yesterday in Washington to demand health care reform and to confront insurance company executives, who were meeting at a plush Ritz-Carlton hotel. CWA's Health Care Campaign, Insurance Industry 2010-03-10T15:38:58+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/selling-insurance-across-state-lines-a-look-at-republican-ideas/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/selling-insurance-across-state-lines-a-look-at-republican-ideas/ Health insurance is primarily regulated by states, which set the rules for what policies must cover, how they are priced and who can buy them. Republicans are proposing to allow policies to be sold across state lines – a New Yorker could buy a Wyoming policy. There are two problems with this: It would weaken consumer protections, and it wouldn't save much money. Insurance Industry 2010-03-08T22:39:42+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-give-the-american-people-more-control-over-their-health-care/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-give-the-american-people-more-control-over-their-health-care/ President Barack Obama today called for Congress to take a final vote on health reform in the next few weeks. "I believe it's time to give the American people more control over their health care and their health insurance," he said. "I don't believe we can afford to leave life-and-death decisions about health care to the discretion of insurance company executives alone." Government Role 2010-03-03T23:19:36+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/malpractice-reform-wont-solve-the-cost-and-access-problems-looking-at-/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/malpractice-reform-wont-solve-the-cost-and-access-problems-looking-at-/ Republicans have been pushing reform of the medical malpractice system as a way of solving the problems of medical costs and access. Malpractice reform isn't a bad thing. But while reform might be good, it won't solve the problem of medical costs. Costs and Cost Controls 2010-03-03T14:27:10+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/want-to-keep-the-health-coverage-you-have-then-you-need-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/want-to-keep-the-health-coverage-you-have-then-you-need-reform/ If health reform doesn't pass, that doesn't mean we get to keep things they way they are now. As a New York Times analysis points out, "health policy analysts and economists of nearly every ideological persuasion agree" that in the absence of reform, we can expect thinner benefits at higher premiums because of rising health costs. Government Role 2010-03-01T17:31:11+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-care-summit-clarifies-differences/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-care-summit-clarifies-differences/ The White House's summit on health contained lots of speeches and few surprises. But it did show clearly the major differences between the Democratic approach, embodied in bills that have passed the House and Senate and the plan proposed this week by President Barack Obama, and the approach of Republican opponents Government Role 2010-02-26T13:36:13+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-wrong-incentives-for-doctors-and-hospitals-a-reminder-of-why-/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-wrong-incentives-for-doctors-and-hospitals-a-reminder-of-why-/ As many experts have pointed out, our health system drives up costs by paying doctors to treat people when they're sick, but not to keep them healthy, and pays for volume, not for quality. The results of the payment system: 25% of Americans say their doctor recommended unnecessary care or treatment, and 17% said their doctor had repeated a test that was already done. Costs and Cost Controls 2010-02-24T19:09:18+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-offers-health-plan-in-advance-of-bipartisan-summit/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-offers-health-plan-in-advance-of-bipartisan-summit/ President Obama offered a health reform plan today that attempts to bridge the differences between bills already passed by the House and Senate. The Obama plan doesn't include some key provisions from the CWA-endorsed house bill, but it does make several improvements on the flawed Senate bill. Government Role 2010-02-22T20:05:48+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-not-just-a-union-problem-study-shows/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-not-just-a-union-problem-study-shows/ Unions have led the fight against the proposed "Cadillac tax" on high-cost health benefits. But the tax on benefits is not just a problem for unions. The so-called "Cadillac tax" as included in the Senate-passed health reform bill would hit millions of workers, 80 percent of whom are not represented by unions, according to a study. Financing Reform 2010-02-18T21:27:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-up-to-400000-jobs-a-year-study-says/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-up-to-400000-jobs-a-year-study-says/ Health reform, when fully implemented, will create 250,000 to 400,000 jobs a year, according to a new study. Economic Impact 2010-02-17T18:48:24+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/big-insurers-profits-jump-56-topping-record-12-billion/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/big-insurers-profits-jump-56-topping-record-12-billion/ The five top U.S. health insurance companies rolled up a record $12.2 billion in profits in 2009 – up 56% from 2008, according to a recent report from Health Care for America Now!, a reform coalition of which CWA is a member. Insurance Industry 2010-02-16T16:03:22+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/voters-tell-washington-keep-trying-on-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/voters-tell-washington-keep-trying-on-health-reform/ By a nearly two-to-one margin, voters want both major political parties to keep trying to pass comprehensive health reform. Meanwhile, the president is making another effort to bring the Republicans and Democrats together. President Obama has called a bipartisan health summit for Feb. 25. Government Role 2010-02-11T15:07:50+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/a-39-premium-hike-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/a-39-premium-hike-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ WellPoint, the country's largest health insurer, is socking individual members in California with premium increases of 30% to 39%. While federal officials are trying to pressure WellPoint, they're limited in what they can do to head off rate-gouging. Unless health reform becomes law. Insurance Industry 2010-02-10T19:04:06+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/coverage-denied-or-cancelled-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-ref/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/coverage-denied-or-cancelled-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-ref/ Coverage denied, coverage delayed, coverage withdrawn - all part of our broken system. How could health reform help? Insurance Industry 2010-02-08T21:36:01+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/costs-continue-to-soar-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/costs-continue-to-soar-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ We've got two fresh reminders of how out-of-control health costs are stretching the resources of working families, employers and government. Health insurance costs are primed for another double-digit increase, according to a recent survey of insurers. And a new government report finds that health spending grew to consume a record 17.3% of the economy last year, up from 16.2% in 2008. Costs and Cost Controls 2010-02-04T19:15:22+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-efforts-continue-but-quietly/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-efforts-continue-but-quietly/ Quiet talks continue in Washington on how to move health reform forward. Similarly, CWA and its allies are deciding how best to make reform a reality. Medical and consumer groups also are working to find a way to fix the health system. 2010-02-01T18:55:13+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/would-benefits-tax-really-save-money-study-suggests-not/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/would-benefits-tax-really-save-money-study-suggests-not/ Supporters of the tax on high-premium health benefits said it would lower health costs. Here's how it's supposed to work, they said: Employers will cut benefits to avoid the tax, meaning higher out-of-pocket costs for workers; to avoid paying those costs, the workers would cut out unnecessary doctor visits, saving costs for the system. A new study adds more evidence that the theory of cost savings through higher out-of-pocket costs isn't true. Financing Reform 2010-01-29T21:27:12+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-to-congress-dont-walk-away-from-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-to-congress-dont-walk-away-from-reform/ "Don't walk away from reform," President Barack Obama told Congress last night in his State of the Union address. While the politics have become more difficult, the need for health reform remains, he said. Government Role 2010-01-28T15:03:38+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/insurance-companies-dumped-millions-into-anti-reform-ads/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/insurance-companies-dumped-millions-into-anti-reform-ads/ Health insurers quietly funneled millions of dollars to the Chamber of Commerce to pay for ads attacking health reform. This serves as a reminder of who benefits from the status quo - and it isn't ordinary consumers and patients. Insurance Industry 2010-01-26T18:07:50+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-more-they-know-the-more-people-support-health-reform-poll-sho/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-more-they-know-the-more-people-support-health-reform-poll-sho/ While Americans remain closely divided over health reform, people are not sure what's in the current bills. And when they learn more about elements of the reform bills, their support increases, according to a new poll. Government Role 2010-01-25T14:41:54+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-assessing-health-care-strategy/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-assessing-health-care-strategy/ CWA and its allies are assessing strategy for health reform in light of the Republican win in the Massachusetts Senate election. The win denies Democrats enough votes to block a filibuster in the Senate, making it nearly certain that Republicans can block action on the current health reform bill. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2010-01-22T14:27:49+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/mass.-election-raises-more-uncertainty-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/mass.-election-raises-more-uncertainty-for-health-reform/ A Republican win in the special Senate election to replace Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts leaves an uncertain road for health reform. Without 60 votes in the Senate, the Democrats can't stop a filibuster, which could block action on a Senate-House compromise reform bill now taking shape. Government Role 2010-01-20T21:11:46+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/union-leaders-negotiate-improvements-in-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/union-leaders-negotiate-improvements-in-benefits-tax/ After many hours of negotiations - and continued pressure from our members - CWA President Larry Cohen and other labor leaders have been able to make significant improvements in the proposed tax on high-cost health benefits. "This is not the plan we would have written if we were the sole author, but just like contract negotiations there is another side to the table. And in this case there are three other sides: the House, the Senate and the White House," CWA leadership said in a statement. "We are proud that the improvements we negotiated protect both union members and members of the public." Financing Reform 2010-01-15T14:44:25+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/groups-representing-employers-and-dentists-join-fight-on-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/groups-representing-employers-and-dentists-join-fight-on-benefits/ Groups representing employers and dentists join fight on benefits tax The American Dental Association and the American Benefits Council, a group which represents large employers, have joined CWA in asking Congress not to tax health benefits. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2010-01-13T18:39:02+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-tells-labor-leaders-theres-flexibility-on-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-tells-labor-leaders-theres-flexibility-on-benefits-tax/ President Obama told labor leaders yesterday that he wants some form of tax on high-cost health benefits in the final health reform bill, but "he also signaled that he was willing to amend the proposal to 'make this work for working families,' " according to an administration official quoted by the New York Times. CWA President Larry Cohen was among a dozen labor leaders who met with the president for an hour at the White House to press their case against the benefits tax. Financing Reform 2010-01-12T18:23:58+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/experts-house-members-challenge-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/experts-house-members-challenge-benefits-tax/ Members of the House of Representatives and independent experts continue to challenge the assumptions behind a proposed tax on benefits, according to recent press reports. Financing Reform 2010-01-08T14:56:34+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-study-shows-benefits-tax-wont-improve-wages/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-study-shows-benefits-tax-wont-improve-wages/ The people who like the idea of taxing benefits tell us not to worry - if our benefits are cut to avoid the tax, our wages will go up to make up for it. That sounds improbable on its face: If our boss can save, say, $3,000 on health premiums, is he going to turn around and hand us a $3,000 raise? A new report from the Economic Policy Institute, released today, shows in data what many of us felt intuitively. Financing Reform 2010-01-06T18:15:04+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/ping-pong/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/ping-pong/ We've been telling you that differences between the House and Senate health reform bills would be resolved in a conference committee. Now, however, it looks as if Congressional leaders are instead using a less formal process - sometimes called "ping pong" - to come up with a single bill. For us, there's no difference. The point is this: Over the next few weeks, we'll either get a health reform bill that meets our needs or we'll get one with serious flaws. That means the next few weeks represent our last chance to have our voices heard. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2010-01-06T14:53:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/attacks-on-benefits-tax-heat-up/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/attacks-on-benefits-tax-heat-up/ Analysts are stepping up attacks on the flaws in the tax on health benefits contained in the health reform bill passed by the Senate. The debate is important as Congress prepares to convene a conference committee to work out differences between the Senate and House reform legislation. CWA is asking us to write to Congress, calling for health care reform that doesn't tax benefits. Financing Reform 2010-01-04T15:20:12+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-passes-reform-fate-of-benefits-tax-left-to-conference-comm/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-passes-reform-fate-of-benefits-tax-left-to-conference-comm/ The Senate passed a health reform bill early this morning, meaning the issue will go to a conference committee over the next few weeks to resolve differences with the House of Representatives version of the bill. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-24T16:35:02+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-releases-summary-of-studies-challenging-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-releases-summary-of-studies-challenging-benefits-tax/ CWA released summaries of 18 studies, reports and analyses challenging the tax on high-cost health plans included in the Senate's health reform bill. "These numerous reports make clear that a tax on health care plans is the opposite of reform - it will hit middle-class families and working Americans hard," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "The health plan excise tax will not let families keep the good health plans they have now." CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-23T14:37:29+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-advances-in-senate-benefits-tax-still-at-issue/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-advances-in-senate-benefits-tax-still-at-issue/ A health reform bill won a procedural vote in the Senate early this morning. While the Senate has a few more days of debate and more procedural votes before a final vote, expected on Christmas Eve, attention will now turn to a conference committee which will iron out the differences between the Senate and House bills. CWA continues to work to block a tax on health benefits which is in the Senate version. Government Role 2009-12-21T17:12:07+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/coalition-calls-on-congress-to-address-potential-cuts-in-dental-a/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/coalition-calls-on-congress-to-address-potential-cuts-in-dental-a/ The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and American Benefits Council, along with the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Prosthodontists, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, Guardian Life Insurance of America, Service Employees International Union, Vision Service Plans, and National Association of Vision Care Plans, sent a letter yesterday calling on Congress to eliminate or substantially modify the proposed excise tax on health benefits, including FSAs, to ensure it does not adversely impact key and important goals of health reform, like primary and prevention oriented care. Employer-Provided Coverage, Financing Reform 2009-12-18T16:51:10+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-to-white-house-benefits-tax-is-a-tax-on-the-middle-class/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-to-white-house-benefits-tax-is-a-tax-on-the-middle-class/ Directly challenging a key White House economic adviser, CWA released a report saying the proposed health benefits tax represents "a significant increase in taxes on millions of middle-class families." The tax will impact nearly 25 million households - about 58 million Americans - in 2019, including one-fifth of households with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000, CWA said, citing data from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-17T22:00:41+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-jct-data-tells-different-story-about-senate-excise-tax-than-w/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-jct-data-tells-different-story-about-senate-excise-tax-than-w/ In response to new claims that the excise tax does not raise taxes on middle class families, the Communications Workers of America today released an analysis of new data compiled by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) that debunks this argument, by showing that the so-called "Cadillac tax" in the Senate version of the health care bill would have a disastrous impact on middle-class Americans. The report, which refutes key arguments made by proponents of the tax, details how the effect of the tax on Americans is more widespread and deleterious than its proponents claim. 2009-12-17T21:28:04+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-ibew-att-and-verizon-team-up-to-oppose-tax-on-health-care-pla/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-ibew-att-and-verizon-team-up-to-oppose-tax-on-health-care-pla/ In a unique partnership between business and labor, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), AT&T and Verizon have joined forces in opposition to the excise tax in the Senate version of the health care reform bill and of the provision that affects the Medicare Part D subsidy for prescription drug coverage. The organizations issued a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid urging him to reconsider both provisions as the legislative process moves forward. Collective Bargaining, Federal Legislation, Costs and Cost Controls 2009-12-16T19:10:59+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-would-hurt-middle-class-new-reports-find/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-would-hurt-middle-class-new-reports-find/ A tax on health benefits, included in the health reform bill now being debated in the Senate, would have a harsh impact on the middle class, according to a new [report by Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ)] and another [report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)]. Government Role 2009-12-14T14:44:31+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-studies-show-heavy-impact-of-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-studies-show-heavy-impact-of-benefits-tax/ A tax on health benefits, now being debated in the Senate, would result in benefit cuts and higher out-of-pocket costs, according to two new reports by actuarial and benefits consulting firms. Government Role 2009-12-11T21:10:13+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/poll-for-cwa-shows-voters-overwhelmingly-oppose-tax-on-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/poll-for-cwa-shows-voters-overwhelmingly-oppose-tax-on-benefits/ Voters in ten swing states oppose a tax on health benefits by a margin of more than 3 to 1, according to a poll by Anzalone-Liszt Research commissioned by CWA. The poll also indicated political problems ahead for elected officials who support the benefits tax, which is included in the current version of the health reform bill being debated by the Senate. Sixty-three percent of voters - and 68 percent of independent voters - said they would be less likely to vote to re-elect a representative who voted for the benefits tax. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-10T20:51:40+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-joins-in-announcement-of-amendment-to-kill-the-benefits-tax/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-joins-in-announcement-of-amendment-to-kill-the-benefits-tax/ CWA's President Larry Cohen and Valerie Castle-Stanley, a member of CWA Local 2204, joined with other speakers at a press conference today to attack a plan being debated in the Senate to tax health benefits. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-10T20:10:18+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-would-hit-federal-workers-hard/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-tax-would-hit-federal-workers-hard/ The benefits tax now included in the Senate's health reform bill would hit federal employees' most popular health plan, according to [two reports released this week by CWA and other unions] that represent public employees. The reports are further evidence that the so-called "Cadillac tax," described by its supporters as aimed lavish benefits enjoyed by a few workers, will actually impact a large swath of the middle class with decent, but not excessive, health plans. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-09T15:10:23+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/moving-into-even-higher-gear/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/moving-into-even-higher-gear/ As crucial votes on health care reform near in the Senate, CWA's Health Care Campaign - which has been pretty intense for more than a year - is stepping up even more. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-12-09T14:37:34+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-starts-health-reform-debate-benefits-tax-remains-key-issue/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-starts-health-reform-debate-benefits-tax-remains-key-issue/ The Senate this week is starting to debate the health reform bill and to vote on amendments to it. The key issue for CWA remains the tax on benefits. A new analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that the benefits tax will hit about one-fifth of Americans receiving employer-provided insurance. And those reached by the tax will have a choice between higher premiums or skimpier benefits. Government Role 2009-12-02T20:30:21+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cohen-to-members-mobilize-now-against-tax-on-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cohen-to-members-mobilize-now-against-tax-on-benefits/ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has brought forward a health reform bill which contains A tax on higher-cost health insurance plans. This would hit hard at CWA members and other working families who have good benefits now. CWA President Larry Cohen immediately called on members to contact Senators to amend the bill to drop the tax on benefits. Government Role 2009-11-24T14:17:23+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-idol-the-winner/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-idol-the-winner/ A few weeks ago, we told you about a contest being run by Organizing for America, the successor organization to the Obama presidential campaign. OFA asked for videos about the need for health reform, and received nearly 1,000. We were all invited to vote on which of 20 finalists was best. There were more than 3 million views. Now, results are in. Government Role 2009-11-23T14:28:48+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/what-the-opponents-and-special-interests-are-up-to/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/what-the-opponents-and-special-interests-are-up-to/ While things may have seemed quiet in the lull between House passage of health reform legislation and Senate debate, the special interests and opponents of reform have been busy. Here's some of what they've been up to: Government Role 2009-11-19T14:46:12+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/women-pay-more-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/women-pay-more-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ Women pay much more than men the same age for individual insurance policies, the New York Times reported recently. Health reform could prevent insurers from discriminating by gender. That prohibition is written into the reform legislation passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Insurance Industry 2009-11-13T14:33:05+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-for-working-families-from-h.r.-3962/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/benefits-for-working-families-from-h.r.-3962/ Okay, so the House has passed H.R. 3962, a health reform bill. What does it do for working families? The AFL-CIO has prepared a list. Government Role 2009-11-12T18:36:59+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/uninsured-veterans-dying-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/uninsured-veterans-dying-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-health-reform/ Uninsured veterans dying: a reminder of why we need health reform More than 2,000 veterans died last year because they didn't have health insurance, according to new estimates from Harvard researchers. Using Census Bureau survey data, the researchers estimated there are nearly 1.5 million veterans under the Medicare age of 65 who are uninsured and who aren't getting care from VA treatment programs. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-11-11T16:41:49+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/report-finds-health-quality-flat-lining-reforms-could-restore-mom/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/report-finds-health-quality-flat-lining-reforms-could-restore-mom/ "The quality of U.S. health care was virtually stagnant in 2008, a disturbing slowdown after a decade of improvements," the National Committee for Quality Assurance reported. On the other hand, provisions in health reform legislation could go a long way toward pushing quality improvement, Margaret O'Kane, NCQA's president, wrote. Quality 2009-11-10T17:32:53+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-reward-for-our-hard-work-house-passes-reform-bill/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-reward-for-our-hard-work-house-passes-reform-bill/ The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the CWA-endorsed health reform bill, late Saturday night. "This is a truly historic moment and one that many of us have been fighting for decades to achieve," AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka said. The margin of victory was razor-thin, 220 to 215. That means that each of us who made phone calls, wrote letters or stood with a sign made a difference. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-11-09T16:43:43+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cbo-says-gop-plan-doesnt-cover-more-people-doesnt-reduce-the-defi/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cbo-says-gop-plan-doesnt-cover-more-people-doesnt-reduce-the-defi/ CBO says GOP plan doesn't cover more people, doesn't reduce the deficit as much as H.R. 3962 The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says a Republican health reform plan would not expand insurance coverage and would reduce the deficit less than H.R. 3962, the health reform bill endorsed by CWA. Government Role 2009-11-06T05:17:59+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/h.r.-3962-wins-backing-of-afl-cio-alliance-for-retired-americans/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/h.r.-3962-wins-backing-of-afl-cio-alliance-for-retired-americans/ The AFL-CIO and the Alliance for Retired Americans have joined CWA in supporting H.R. 3962, the latest version of the health reform bill in the House of Representatives. The AFL-CIO said the bill would make health care available to millions of Americans, reduce costs and cut the federal deficit by more than $100 billion. Government Role 2009-11-06T04:00:52+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-cwa-video-on-need-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/new-cwa-video-on-need-for-health-reform/ A new CWA video features Betty Diamond, a CWA member from Lake Worth, FL who is a two-time cancer survivor. She talks about the need for health reform to help control costs and to require all employers to pay their fair share toward coverage. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-11-03T14:41:13+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-endorses-house-health-care-reform-bill-h.r.-3962/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-endorses-house-health-care-reform-bill-h.r.-3962/ Leadership in the House of Representatives unveiled their version of the health reform bill. Instead of taxing benefits, as a Senate bill would, the House bill raises money by a small increase in income tax for individuals making more than $500,000 a year and families making more than $1 million. It also includes a public option, requires employers to pay their fair share for coverage, and protects pre-Medicare retirees. Larry Cohen, president of CWA, and Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, immediately endorsed the bill. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-11-02T14:21:09+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-idol-vote-for-the-next-commercial/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-idol-vote-for-the-next-commercial/ Organizing for America, the successor organization to the Obama election campaign, invited people to design their own 30-second videos to support health reform. They've picked 20 finalists, and you can rate each one at the OFA Web site. Voting continues until next Friday, Nov. 6. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-30T14:51:53+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-bill-to-include-public-option/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-bill-to-include-public-option/ The Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, said this week he will include a public insurance option - with states having the choice of not participating - in the health reform bill he will bring to the Senate floor. The inclusion of a public option at this stage shows that our efforts are having an impact - but we've got to keep pushing to get the best bill we can. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-29T14:31:01+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-supports-ads-on-the-right-way-to-pay-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-supports-ads-on-the-right-way-to-pay-for-health-reform/ Helping to fight the proposed tax on our benefits, CWA and its lobbying partner, the United Auto Workers, have financed a series of video and print ads. A study by the CWA research department shows that the proposed levy would become a large tax on the middle class. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-29T13:52:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/tell-senators-wednesday-dont-tax-our-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/tell-senators-wednesday-dont-tax-our-benefits/ Tell Senators Wednesday: Don't tax our benefits! Health reform bills are taking shape, so this is a really important time to speak up. The bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee would tax our benefits, so this is a really important reason to speak up. Tomorrow - Wednesday, Oct. 28 - is CWA's national call in day. Call 1-888-580-0792, and you'll be connected to the office of one of your Senators. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-27T13:17:55+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/sacramento-vigil-fast-for-health-care-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/sacramento-vigil-fast-for-health-care-reform/ CWA Local 9421 partnered with the Sacramento Central Labor Council, Health Care for America Now, and Organizing For America in an overnight vigil, fast and phone bank for health reform in front of the Federal building in downtown Sacramento. The purpose of the event was to urge the Senate to pass a real--not watered-down--health care reform bill. Our message: any final health care reform bill must have a public option, must require every employer to participate and must not tax our benefits! CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-26T18:20:40+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-joins-in-october-actions-in-fight-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-joins-in-october-actions-in-fight-for-health-reform/ CWA joins in October actions in fight for health reform As Congress reaches the final stages of shaping and debating health reform legislation, CWA members across the country have written thousands of letters, made thousands of phone calls and participated in a variety of actions across the country. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-26T18:20:38+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/updated-report-cadillac-tax-would-hit-pick-up-trucks/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/updated-report-cadillac-tax-would-hit-pick-up-trucks/ An updated report by CWA's research department shows that a proposed tax on so-called "Cadillac" benefits would hit 31 million taxpayers -- one-third of all health plans -- by 2019. Middle-income taxpayers, making $50,000 to $75,000 a year, in plans affected by the tax would have a 1.4 percent tax increase. For those making a million dollars a year who are affected by the tax the increase would be just 0.1 percent. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-23T16:23:56+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/support-for-health-reform-continues-to-rebound/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/support-for-health-reform-continues-to-rebound/ Support for health reform continues to rebound While opinion remains divided on some aspects of health reform, public support is strong and getting stronger for a public option and overwhelmingly opposed to a tax on benefits, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Meanwhile, another new poll by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds Americans becoming more concerned they could lose their health coverage in the absence of reform. Government Role 2009-10-21T13:26:47+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/to-the-senate-finance-committee-our-fords-and-chevys-look-like-ca/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/to-the-senate-finance-committee-our-fords-and-chevys-look-like-ca/ To the Senate Finance Committee, our Fords and Chevys look like Cadillacs The Senate Finance Committee health reform bill includes a tax on higher-cost health insurance. Supporters like to say the tax will hit "Cadillac plans," a deceptive name which sounds like it impacts only lavish, luxurious and pricy coverage. But the idea of "Cadillac" coverage is a myth. A new report from CWA's research department shows that the so-called "Cadillac" tax will pretty soon be hitting millions of working families CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-20T13:04:40+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-and-other-unions-will-oppose-senate-finance-bill-unless-its-f/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-and-other-unions-will-oppose-senate-finance-bill-unless-its-f/ CWA joined the AFL-CIO and about two dozen other international unions in newspaper ads promising to oppose the health reform bill just approved by the Senate Finance Committee unless it is changed so that it "makes substantial progress to address the concerns of working men and women." CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-15T16:26:12+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-finance-approves-health-reform-bill-action-shifts-to-floor/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/senate-finance-approves-health-reform-bill-action-shifts-to-floor/ The Senate Finance Committee yesterday voted 14 to 9 to send a health reform bill to the Senate floor. It's a bad bill, but its approval means the health reform process is moving forward. Now, we've got to work to make it a better bill. Government Role 2009-10-14T13:44:42+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/like-paul-revere-sounding-the-alarm-on-the-plan-to-tax-our-benefi/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/like-paul-revere-sounding-the-alarm-on-the-plan-to-tax-our-benefi/ Nearly 200 CWA activists visited Capitol Hill last week, pushing for our goals on health reform - and, especially, insisting on a reform bill that doesn't tax our benefits. "We're sounding the alarm on this," CWA's President Larry Cohen told a group of local activists on Wednesday, and they gathered at headquarters before fanning out to talk to members of the Senate and House. "It's like Paul Revere and the Revolution." CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-13T19:10:12+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/stories-behind-cwas-health-care-activists/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/stories-behind-cwas-health-care-activists/ Among nearly 200 CWA activists who came to Washington last week to lobby for health reform were David and Kelly Arellanes, of Local 6508 in Little Rock, Ark., and Jeanine Maury of Local 7800 in Seattle. Their personal stories are dramatic demonstrations of why the health insurance system must change. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-13T18:23:37+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/majority-of-house-democrats-say-no-tax-on-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/majority-of-house-democrats-say-no-tax-on-benefits/ Majority of House Democrats say, `No tax on benefits!' A majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives have signed a letter opposing a tax on benefits. The tax on benefits is included in a health reform bill from the Senate Finance Committee. CWA research shows that the proposed tax would do serious damage to our health coverage. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-10-13T18:07:07+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-option-doctors-prescribe-it-robert-reich-explains-it/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-option-doctors-prescribe-it-robert-reich-explains-it/ There's a lot of misunderstanding about the public health insurance option - misunderstanding that's been fed by disinformation from supporters of the status quo. Actually, the public option is "not very scary or complicated at all," Robert Reich, former labor secretary, explains in a new video. Government Role 2009-10-07T13:19:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/support-returns-for-health-reform-new-poll-shows/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/support-returns-for-health-reform-new-poll-shows/ Public support for health reform, which wilted some during an August heat wave of attacks and disinformation, is returning to pre-August levels, according to the latest tracking poll for the Kaiser Family Foundation. Government Role 2009-10-05T14:38:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/lance-armstrong-a-man-with-a-pre-existing-condition/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/lance-armstrong-a-man-with-a-pre-existing-condition/ Lance Armstrong is known and admired around the world for coming back from cancer treatment to resume bicycle racing and win the prestigious Tour de France seven times. Less well known is that Armstrong was uninsured when he got cancer, and struggled to get coverage because he had a pre-existing condition. Now, Armstrong wants to make sure no one else has the same problem he had - he's supporting health reform because it will stop insurers from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-10-02T19:15:44+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/calling-out-opponents-of-health-reform-for-lies-and-distortions/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/calling-out-opponents-of-health-reform-for-lies-and-distortions/ During his address to Congress on health reform in September, President Barack Obama promised to work with Republicans to look for bipartisan solutions, but said he would "call out" those who are spreading distortions and disinformation for political purposes. Now, the Democratic Party is doing just that. On its Web site, the party has started a "Call 'em out" feature, quoting opponents and documenting their misstatements. Government Role 2009-10-02T13:26:03+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-premiums-up-131-in-ten-years/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-premiums-up-131-in-ten-years/ The cost of health premiums for employer-sponsored plans reached $13,375 on average for family coverage - an increase 131% in the past ten years. If that rate of increase were to continue for the next ten years - and why wouldn't it, if we don't change our system? - premiums would reach about $30,803 in 2019. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-10-01T17:32:14+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/lack-of-insurance-may-be-killing-45000-people-a-year/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/lack-of-insurance-may-be-killing-45000-people-a-year/ People without health insurance are 40% more likely to die than those with private insurance, according to a new study published in the Journal of Public Health. That means lack of insurance may be responsible for as many at 45,000 deaths a year. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-09-29T13:51:57+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-making-all-employers-pay-their-fair-s/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-making-all-employers-pay-their-fair-s/ This week, we're reviewing issues in the health reform bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. For more on the committee's process and what it means, click here. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-09-24T16:59:50+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-pre-medicare-retirees/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-pre-medicare-retirees/ This week, we're reviewing issues in the health reform bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. For more on the committee's process and what it means, click here. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-09-23T18:27:04+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-competition-for-insurance-companies/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-competition-for-insurance-companies/ This week, we're reviewing issues in the health reform bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. For more on the committee's process and what it means, click here. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-09-23T18:20:08+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-taxation-of-benefits/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-taxation-of-benefits/ This week, we're reviewing issues in the health reform bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. For more on the committee's process and what it means, click here. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-09-22T12:05:16+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-overview/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/spotlight-on-senate-finance-overview/ This is a huge week - potentially a make-or-break week - for health care reform. The Senate Finance Committee is doing its "markup" on a health bill drafted by its chairman, Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-09-21T21:43:24+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/town-hall-meetings-to-start-the-teabaggers-booed-the-rabbi/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/town-hall-meetings-to-start-the-teabaggers-booed-the-rabbi/ More than 800 CWA members attended Congressional town hall meetings about health care reform during August - providing calm but determined counterpoint to angry opponents of reform, who were often outnumbered but seldom outshouted. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-09-18T14:04:39+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/not-exactly-news-census-finds-more-uninsured/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/not-exactly-news-census-finds-more-uninsured/ The number of uninsured in the United States rose in 2008, to 46.3 million, up from 45.7 million in 2007, according to an annual survey by the Census Bureau. That's not a surprise - this is the seventh increase in the eight years since 2000, when the number stood at 38.4 million. So that's about eight million more uninsured just in this decade. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-09-17T14:40:34+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obamas-guests-a-reminder-of-why-reform-is-needed/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obamas-guests-a-reminder-of-why-reform-is-needed/ Darlene Daniels, of Baltimore, has a serious and chronic condition, sarcodosis, an inflammation of body organs. She is insured, but her insurance has an annual cap on benefits, so she's been left with $30,000 in bills and is skipping needed visits to heart, lung and eye doctors because she can't afford them. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-09-15T14:51:49+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/double-digit-health-cost-increases-seen-for-2010/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/double-digit-health-cost-increases-seen-for-2010/ Two recent surveys of health insurers by consulting firms show health care costs are expected to increase between 10% and 11% next year. Costs and Cost Controls 2009-09-14T14:01:53+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-and-medicare/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/health-reform-and-medicare/ We've been getting some questions about the impact that health reform would have on Medicare. Government Role 2009-09-11T12:05:52+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/there-are-important-areas-of-health-reform-agreement/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/there-are-important-areas-of-health-reform-agreement/ Labor and business, Democrats and Republicans can find major areas of agreement on health reform, including a determination that the status quo is unacceptable, according to a panel which included Annie Hill, CWA's executive vice president. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-09-10T14:09:55+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-launches-television-ad-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/cwa-launches-television-ad-for-health-reform/ As part of a broad effort to turn up the heat on Congress to pass meaningful health care reform, CWA has begun running a television ad in Maine. Prepared with our partner organization Health Care for America Now, it is aimed at Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Maine Republican who could be a critical swing vote and voice on the Senate Finance Committee and on the Senate floor. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-09-09T17:33:02+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/biden-to-us-help-bust-the-biggest-myth-of-all/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/biden-to-us-help-bust-the-biggest-myth-of-all/ There are a lot of myths about health reform, Vice President Joe Biden says in a new video, but, "the greatest myth of all is that our health insurance system is just fine, that there's no serious need for reform." Insurance Industry 2009-09-08T14:24:40+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-calls-on-labor-movement-to-continue-to-fight-for-health-ref/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/obama-calls-on-labor-movement-to-continue-to-fight-for-health-ref/ Speaking to the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic in Cincinnati, President Barack Obama thanked labor for winning progressive change in the past, and called on the movement to continue fighting, especially for health care reform. Government Role 2009-09-08T14:03:26+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/study-finds-one-in-seven-adults-with-medical-debt/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/study-finds-one-in-seven-adults-with-medical-debt/ More than two million people in California alone have medical debt - and two thirds of them ran up the debt while they were insured, according to a new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Uninsured and Underinsured 2009-09-05T01:05:55+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/reform-supporters-hold-vigils/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/reform-supporters-hold-vigils/ While they may not get as much attention as the noisy town hall meetings, supporters of health care reform have been turning out in large numbers for rallies and vigils. Government Role 2009-09-05T00:30:50+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-best-health-care-in-the-world/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/the-best-health-care-in-the-world/ Among the arguments used by supporters of the status quo in health care is this one: The United States has the best health care system in the world, so we don't want to mess it up in an attempt at reform. But a new review of quality research finds U.S. quality ratings are "a mixed bag, with the United States doing relatively well in some areas - such as cancer care - and less well in others - such as mortality from conditions amenable to prevention and treatment." Quality 2009-09-02T16:22:58+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/michael-steele-was-for-medicare-before-he-was-against-it/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/michael-steele-was-for-medicare-before-he-was-against-it/ Michael Steele, the Republican national chairman, criticized health reform efforts on Monday, saying reform might damage Medicare, and that Republicans wanted to preserve Medicare. So, he was asked, if he's against government-run health programs, why does he support the government-run Medicare? In effect, Steele answered, Medicare is so good it shouldn't be touched, although it's also so bad that it shouldn't be extended to under-65 Americans. Government Role 2009-09-01T13:57:00+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/fighting-back-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/fighting-back-for-health-reform/ Undaunted by a month of partisan scare tactics and debate-stifling shouting matches, health care reform supporters are planning hundreds of rallies in the days leading up to Congress's return to work September 8. Government Role 2009-08-31T20:01:31+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-health-plan-needed-to-introduce-competition-into-insurance/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-health-plan-needed-to-introduce-competition-into-insurance/ At a time when at some Democrats in Congress seem to be backing off from the public health plan option, Baltimore Sun business columnist Jay Hancock reminds us of why a public option is needed. The public option would provide a plan, similar to Medicare for those under 65, which would compete for business against private insurance companies. Government Role 2009-08-29T00:00:40+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/insurance-companies-vs.-socialism/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/insurance-companies-vs.-socialism/ "Sorry, ma'am, you fire department coverage policy doesn't cover burning houses." Government Role 2009-08-27T17:42:51+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-health-plan-or-health-co-ops-whats-the-difference/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/public-health-plan-or-health-co-ops-whats-the-difference/ As the Senate Finance Committee struggles to find a consensus on its health care reform legislation, some are suggesting that it should drop the idea of a public health insurance plan in favor of member-run co-ops. Government Role 2009-08-27T17:33:14+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/working-america-finds-strong-support-for-health-reform/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/working-america-finds-strong-support-for-health-reform/ The news is full of angry people at town hall meetings, shouting about "death panels" and "government take-overs," but lots of people are still keeping their focus on fixing our broken health system. CWA Partners 2009-08-24T13:59:45+00:00 http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/follow-us-on-twitter/ http://www.healthcarevoices.org/news/articles/follow-us-on-twitter/ Twitter is a great tool for activists who want to stay on top of breaking news and share important information with their networks of friends. And now you can use Twitter to get the latest news about health care from CWA! Visit http://twitter.com/cwahealthcare to follow us today. New to Twitter? Visit http://www.healthcarevoices.org/pages/about-twitter for quick tips to get you started. CWA's Health Care Campaign 2009-08-19T16:39:10+00:00