UNITE HERE: Congress Must at Least Pass Worker Health Coverage Protection Act

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 -- UNITE HERE, a labor union for workers in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation and airport industries in the U.S. and Canada, issued the following statement on Sept. 24:

* * *

UNITE HERE, the hospitality union with over 95% of its members who currently are, or have been, unemployed as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, is calling on the Senate to pass the 'Worker Health Coverage Protection Act' introduced today by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). The Senate bill adopts the worker health protection sections of the previously passed House CARES Act.

Statement from UNITE HERE International President D. Taylor:

"We are in a healthcare crisis yet millions are losing the one thing they need most right now: their health insurance. That is why I am pleased that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the 'Worker Health Coverage Protection Act' that will provide 100% emergency coverage of health care premiums until workers are able to return to work and assume their coverage once again.

It is a desperate situation out here. No job, no healthcare, no savings. If Congress cannot agree on a large and vitally-needed legislative package to bring relief to Americans, then please pass the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act to give workers at least one bit of comfort knowing their health insurance is intact.

"One of the most powerful tools Congress can use is to provide 100% premium payments for those American workers who are unemployed, but cannot afford their insurance premiums. Working people are barely treading water right now; anything less than 100% coverage will sink them. That is why I am heartened that House Democrats are listening - and acting - with the introduction of legislation to help pay for their health insurance during the pandemic.

"We are living in an unprecedented time that requires unprecedented action by employers and government alike. Workers are faced with a triple threat: loss of job, loss of health insurance, and loss of their life due to the threat of the virus. A number of our members have already been affected by loss of life or hospitalization due to COVID-19. Doing nothing is not an option. The Congress must help workers in their time of peril."