Health Care
The United Steelworkers remain steadfast in the belief that health care is a right not a privilege. We believe that all workers should be entitled to affordable medical coverage. Our union will fight for three principles of health care: universal coverage, cost control and comprehensive coverage.
- Republicans Plan to Cancel Health Insurance Benefits Republicans in Congress have announced their intention to repeal the new health insurance reform legislation, and all of its benefits for senior citizens, people with pre-existing conditions and children.
- 2010 Year in Review from Health and Human Services Health and Human Services (HHS) took a number of steps that have improved the lives, health and security of Americans. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius outlines the many accomplishments of the Department over the course of 2010.
- Just 6 months in, health insurance reform saving lives Six months ago, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act - historic health care reform legislation that will end the worst practices of insurance companies, make coverage more affordable for families and businesses, get our country's fiscal house in order, and expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured.
- Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka On Reports by Social Security and Medicare Trustees Today’s reports by the Social Security and Medicare trustees bring good news for both programs. The reports are a needed comeuppance to right wing ideological opponents of Social Security and Medicare who, year after year, twist the facts to undermine confidence in these essential programs ... more
- 1,000+ say 'thank you' for health insurance reform at Capitol Hill rally More than 1,000 Steelworkers and other union members rallied on Capitol Hill today to say thank you to lawmakers who voted for health insurance reform.
- What Healthcare Reform Means for Us The new healthcare law contains many benefits for Steelworkers. Find out what it means for you.
- Health Care Reform Passes House - President Obama Signs Into Law History was made recently when the U.S. House passed a health care reform bill that the President signed into law.
- Health Care Is A Right, Not A Privilege Bill Fair worked at Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg, Illinois for 38 years and took early retirement in 2003. At that time, health insurance for him and his wife, Donna, cost $486 a month. He took a part-time job to make ends meet. But a year after retiring, his health insurance premiums rose to $1,700 a month. The Fairs were forced to drop out of the plan.
- H1N1 Update: Arm yourself with the facts The USW has developed and recently updated factsheets on the H1N1 flu. These resources will help you understand the steps you and your local must take to protect our members against H1N1 so that we can stay healthy and provide the care that will be so greatly needed in our communities. Click here for more.
- USW President Supports Single Payer Healthcare Paul Jay speaks to Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers' union about his fight for single payer health care reform and the unionization legislation. Gerard says that, "the unions are first and foremost going to be very active in the fight to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and the fight for health care reform."
- What Everyone Should Know About the H1N1 Influenza (formerly called Swine Flu) The United Steelworkers has very important recommendations for what employers should be doing now to protect workers, including what employers in hospitals/health care facilities should be doing to protect hospital and health care workers so that they don’t get sick, and are able to take care of those who do get sick. Click here for more info.
- Number of Uninsured Climbs By 8.6 Million A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows the decline in health insurance coverage continued unabated in 2006, driven primarily by the continued erosion in employer-provided health insurance. In 2006, 47 million Americans were uninsured, up nearly 8.6 million since 2000. The rate of those without insurance has grown 2.1 percentage points during this period, from 13.7% in 2000 to 15.8% in 2006.
- USW Lawsuit Results in Continental Tire Agreeing to Provide Retiree Health Care The United Steelworkers said today that Continental Tire North America, has agreed to make $158 million in payments to a retiree health insurance fund. The settlement is in response to a lawsuit filed by the USW and a class of retirees when CTNA implemented a $3,000 cap on its payments for retiree health coverage, a change which forced many retirees to pay $1000 or more monthly for coverage.
