USW Opposes AHCA, Urges Congress to Vote No

PITTSBURGH, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard today sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to vote "no" on the American Health Care Act (AHCA).

The new health care bill, meant to replace the Afford Care Act, slashes taxes for the richest Americans while jeopardizing protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Gerard wrote.

"This harmful and partisan legislation will cause tens of millions to lose insurance coverage over the next decade. Deductibles and premiums are expected to rise," wrote Gerard. "In short, rather than reducing costs of health care, this bill will simply shift costs to working Americans and their families while cutting taxes for the wealthy and corporations."

The legislation also undoes protections for older Americans including many retirees who do not yet qualify for Medicare, while preserving the so-called "Cadillac tax" that hurts working people.

"The American Health Care Act is a harmful piece of legislation that does not solve the problems in our current health insurance system," Gerard wrote. "Despite amendments, the costs of this bill would still be borne by working families, making health care less affordable and less accessible."

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.

CONTACT:
Jess Kamm Broomell (412) 562-2446
jkamm@usw.org

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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)