2009-11-08 06:13:01 -

The Communications Workers of America commends House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House of Representatives on passage of its health care plan.

“The Affordable Health Care for America Act gets it right. It doesn’t tax middle class and working Americans to pay for health care like some Senate proposals would. It means that families won’t face cuts in benefits and higher

costs. It provides the real health care reform that our nation needs,” said CWA President Larry Cohen.

Especially important, the House plan guarantees that employers – with exceptions for small business -- pay their fair share by requiring them to provide insurance or pay into a common fund so responsible employers don’t continue to pick up the tab for freeloaders, he added.

“The House reform plan will provide enormous benefits to our nation.

Workers won’t fear the loss of health care for themselves and their families if they are laid off or change jobs. Pre-Medicare retirees will be protected against cutbacks in their health care benefits. And the House plan includes effective restraints on escalating health care costs, which has driven up costs for working families and made American businesses less competitive,” Cohen said.

It’s time for the Senate to move forward on real health care reform that will provide working and middle class families the health care we all need. Our nation can’t afford to wait, he said.

CWA CommunicationsCandice Johnson, 202-434-1168 cjohnson@cwa-union.org : mailto:cjohnson@cwa-union.org