March 20, 2010

 

The Honorable Jason Altmire

U. S. House of Representatives

332 Cannon HOB

Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Representative Altmire:

 

Throughout the course of the Congressional debate over health care reform, you pledged to residents of Pennsylvania’s 4^th District that you would fight for and vote for real reform. We were shocked and dismayed to hear this week that you may be breaking your promise by voting against reform this Sunday. To do so would be a betrayal to our members who worked hard to help you win your office, and it would do an enormous disservice to the residents of Pennsylvania’s 4^th Congressional District who stand to benefit enormously from this legislation.

 

For working people, the legislation means that health insurance at work will come with new protections against insurance company abuses, like caps on annual or lifetime payments, and new benefits such as free preventive care. Over 400,000 residents in the District would be protected against such outlaw practices by the legislation now before the House.  For the self-employed, the legislation will provide tax credits that will make health coverage affordable. It will create a new health insurance market that will stop insurance companies from denying care, while providing consumers new choices. For small businesses it will mean tax credits to make coverage affordable. The hospitals in the 4^th Congressional District will receive $34 million to pay for uncompensated care.

 

The fact is that most union members already have access to good, affordable coverage, a benefit of having us represent them at the bargaining table. But we acutely understand that our members and their families cannot thrive in a community that has so many people suffering from huge medical bills, small businesses struggling to pay for premiums, and local and state governments burdened by soaring health care costs.

 

Congressman, we will not be able to explain to the members of our unions why you voted against this bill. The feeling of betrayal will be very deep and long-lasting. Our members support elected leaders who understand what it means to work hard to support a family in these tough times. Our members look for elected officials who have the courage to stand up to lies, distortions and political scare tactics. Your vote this Sunday will tell them what kind of elected official you are. Please do not disappoint them or us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO

 

Leo Gerard, President, USWA

 

Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU

 

Eileen Connelly, Executive Director, SEIU Pennsylvania State Council

Larry Cohen, President, CWA

 

Gerald McEntee, President AFSCME

 

Ed Mooney, Vice President, CWA

 

Bill George, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

 

Jack Shea, President, Allegheny Central Labor Council

 

Dennis Bloom, President

Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council

Edward F. Mooney

Int’l Vice-President, CWA District 13

Dave Bielski, Secretary-Treasurer

Northwest Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation

 

John DeFazio, Director

USWA, District 10

Neal Bisno, President, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania

 

Kathy Jellison, President of SEIU Local 668

 

David Melman, Manager of the Pennsylvania Joint Board of Workers United

 

Gabe Morgan, Western Pennsylvania Director, 32BJ SEIU

 

Bernie Hall, President

USWA, Local 8183

 

Dave Donkin, President,
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 PA

 

Rick Galiano, President

USWA, Local 9305

 

John Cunnard, President

USWA, Local 1211