Health Care You Can Count On
AFSCME’s Campaign for Guaranteed, Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
Workshop Objectives
 Understand why our health
care system is broken and
needs to be reformed;
 Learn about AFSCME’s
Health Care for America
Plan and campaign for
reform.
 Be able to advocate for
AFSCME’s plan and explain
why “you’re on your own”
proposal won’t work.
We’ve bargained hard for our
health coverage.
But lately, we’ve been
forced to sacrifice our
wage increases just to
keep our health care.
Premiums are going up 3 times
faster than wages.
WORKERS’ EARNINGS
Our benefits are at risk.
Here’s why:
The average annual premium cost for
family coverage is now more than $12,000.
$14,000
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
2000
2002
2004
2006
We’re paying more.
And getting less.
Higher co-pays and deductibles – more than doubled.
And we have fewer choices.
Health care costs are hurting
businesses and squeezing state
and local government budgets.
And that puts pressure on us at
the bargaining table.
Skyrocketing prices also increase
privatization and put our jobs at risk.
1 out of 6 dollars in the U.S.
goes to health care.
And yet, 47 million Americans don’t
even have health insurance.
And that costs us more.
For an average annual family
policy of $12,000, more than
$1,000 goes to the costs of
the uninsured.
Rising costs hurt families.
• One in four Americans say their family has had a problem
paying for medical care during the past year.
• Nearly 30 percent say someone in their family has delayed
medical care in the past year.
• Every 30 seconds, someone files
for “medical bankruptcy.”
Everyone agrees that our
health care system is broken.
Politicians in both
parties have plans
for changes.
But will the changes
be good for us?
Some want change to protect
their profits.
Insurance companies
Pharmaceutical
companies
For-Profit HMOs
Non-union employers
The insurance companies?
They want reform that
protects their profits –
while denying
people the care
they need.
Where does the money go?
Private Insurance
Medicare
Profit, Administration & Marketing
30%
Administration & Marketing 2%
Health Care 70%
Health Care 98%
The pharmaceutical industry?
They want reform that
protects their profits –
so they can charge
outrageous prices for
the drugs we need.
This is what AFSCME is fighting for:
Guaranteed
Quality
Affordable
Health Care We Can Count On
We want health care reform…
that builds on
what’s best
about America’s
health care
system and
changes what
doesn’t work.
Our Goals for Reform
Guaranteed, Affordable, Quality Health Care We Can Count On
Control skyrocketing costs.
Make coverage affordable for all.
Health Care for America
Guaranteed, Affordable, Quality Health Care We Can Count On
1. Guarantee choice of plans – you can keep what you have.
2. Require employers to pay their fair share.
3. Government must be an advocate to control costs, improve
quality, and keep the insurance and drug companies in check.
4. Offer you the choice of a public plan as an alternative to private
insurance.
5. Guarantee comprehensive benefits and high-quality care for all.
Politicians?
Some want reforms that
protect the insurance
and pharmaceutical
companies… not
working families.
McCain Plan
You’re on Your Own
 Encourage employers to drop health coverage
 Use high deductibles – up to $11,000 per year
 Provide tax credit that pays only ¼ to ½ of premium
McCain Plan
You’re on Your Own
 No regulation of insurance company practices
 No consumer protection, no guarantees
More McCain
You’re on Your Own
We would pay taxes on the
cost of our health benefits.
You’re On Your Own
The Bottom Line
• Shift coverage out of
the workplace.
• You and your family pay
more for less.
• Insurance companies
can reject you.
• Does not control costs
How do they really compare?
AFSCME
McCain
Health Care for America
You’re on Your Own
Builds on employer-based system
Shifts coverage to individuals
Government is an advocate
Allows insurance companies to call
the shots
Choice of public plan as alternative
Leaves the choices up to the
market.
Group coverage so its affordable
You’re on your own
They can only win by spreading
confusion and fear.
THEY SAY
WE SAY
It’s socialized
medicine.
You can keep the plan you have
if you like it, and see the doctors
you choose.
It’s government-run
medicine.
You and your doctor will make
medical decisions, not the
insurance companies.
THEY SAY
It’s one-size-fitsall health care.
Let the “market”
do its job.
WE SAY
Everyone gets to choose what’s
right for them.
If you like your plan, you keep it. If
you want a change, you get options.
If the market is what we have now,
we need to change it. It’s what got
us into the mess we’re in.
Our Winning Campaign
We’re building a grassroots national movement
for change powered by millions of Americans.
Join Us!
 Talk to co-workers.
 Urge candidates and
elected officials to support
Health Care for America.
 Support my union in
bargaining for health care.
 Fill out the card and take
action!
Find out how you can get involved.
Get more details about
AFSCME’s “Health Care for America” Plan
www.afscme.org/healthcare
afscme.org/academy