John Conyers (MI-14)

The “United States National Health Insurance Act,” H.R. 676

(“Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Bill”)

*introduced by Cong. John Conyers, Dennis Kucinich, Jim McDermott, and Donna Christensen

Brief Summary of Legislation

·          The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes an American national health insurance program.  The bill would create a publically financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health care status.

·          With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non health care system.

Who is Eligible?

·          Every person living or visiting in the United States and the U.S. Territories would receive a United States National Health Insurance Card and ID number once they enroll at the appropriate location (documented and undocumented immigrants covered).  Social Security numbers may not be used when assigning ID cards.

Health Care Services Covered

·          This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment. Patients have their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, clinics, and practices. No co-pays or deductibles are permissible under this act.

Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System

·          Private health insurers shall be prohibited under this act from selling coverage that duplicates the benefits of the USNHI program.  Exceptions to this rule include coverage for cosmetic surgery, and other medically unnecessary treatments. Those who are displaced as result of the transitions to a non- profit health care system are the first to be hired and retrained under this act.

Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

·          The National USNHI program will set reimbursement rates annually for physicians, allow for “global budgets” ( annual lump sums for operating expenses)  for  health care providers; and negotiate prescription drug prices. The national office will provide an annual lump sum allotment to each existing Medicare region, each region will administer the program.

·          The conversion to a not-for- profit health care system will take place over a 15-year period, through the sale of U.S. treasury bonds; payment will not be made for loss of business profits, but only for real estate, buildings, and equipment. Health insurance companies could be sub-contracted out to perform reimbursements to health providers.

HR 676 Would  Reduce Overall Health Care Costs

·          A study by nationally recognized health care economist Dean Baker, concluded that under H.R. 676, a family of three making $40,000 per year would spend approximately $1600 per year for health care coverage. The average annual premium for families covered under an employee health plan is $11,000. ( National Coalition on Health Care)

·          In 2005, without reform, the average employer that offers coverage will contribute $2,600 to health care per employee ( for much skimpier benefits). Under HR 676, the average costs to employers for an employee making $30,000 per year will be reduced to $1,155 per year; less than $100 per month.

·          Baker’s study reported that HR 676 would reduce health spending in 2005 from $1 trillion, 918 billion dollars to 1 trillion, 861.3 billion dollars, which translates into a saving of $56 billion in overall health care spending while covering all of the uninsured.

Administration

·          The United States Congress will establish annual funding outlays for the USNHI Program through an annual entitlement, and be administered by the Medicare program.

Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

·          Maintain current federal and state funding for existing health care programs; raise the payroll tax by 6.6%  total: 3.3% paid by the employer, 3.3% paid by the employee; establish a 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners; create a small tax on stock and bond transfers; close corporate tax loop-holes; repeal the Bush tax cut for the highest income earners.

*For more information, contact Joel Segal and Alexia Smokler , Rep. John Conyers, at 202 225-5126.

Resolutions endorsing HR 676, Universal Single Payer Health Care, have been passed by the following union organizations:

1.  Duluth (Minnesota) AFL-CIO Central Labor Body

2.  American Federation of Government Employees Local 2028,Pittsburgh, PA, representing 1,700 nurses, other professionals & service workers at two Veterans Administration     Hospitals

3.  Plumbers and Steamfitters HVAC, Local 188, United Association, Savannah, GA.

4.  United Steelworkers of America, Local 1693, Louisville, KY, amalgamated local representing 1,700 workers

5.  Local 2322, United Automobile Workers, representing 3,800 workers in Holyoke, Massachusetts

6.  Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 37083, Seattle, WA

7.  Local 576, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Louisville, KY

8.  United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 630, West Palm Beach, FL

9.  Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), National Convention, Oct. 2003

10. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), National Convention, May 2004

11. Jefferson County Teachers’ Association (National Education Association), representing teachers in the public school system, Louisville, KY

12. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2629, AFL-CIO, representing Louisville Metro Government Employees, Louisville, KY

13. Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Hammond, IN

14. Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical, Energy International Union (PACE) Local 5-2002, Louisville, KY

15. United Steelworkers of America, Local 6787, representing over 3,000 steelworkers Burns Harbor, IN

16. Local 506, United Electrical Workers, Erie, PA, representing 4,000 workers at GE.

17. Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Refrigeration Fitters, Local 393, AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA.

18. California State Pipe Trades Council, United Association, AFL-CIO, Sacramento, CA

19. Local 576 Laborers’ International Union Retirees’ Council, LIUNA, AFL-CIO, Louisville,KY

20. Nurses Professional Organization, Louisville, KY

21. Independent State Store Union (ISSU) Harrisburg, PA

22. Local 2320, United Automobile Workers, Chicago, Illinois, representing nearly 4,000 workers across the country, primarily in legal services and human services.

23. Washington Chapter 10, The Retired Public Employees’ Council of Washington, AFSCME, Convention September 2004.

24. Steelworkers Active Organization of Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 31-9, Chicago, IL

25. Local 3310, Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing workers at Bell South in Louisville, KY
 
26. St. Joe Valley Project Jobs with Justice, South Bend, IN

27. United Electrical Workers (UE), Pittsburgh, PA

28. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Chicago/Midwest Region

29. California Nurses Association, Oakland, CA

30. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Branch 84, Pittsburgh, PA

31. Local Lodge 794, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Albuquerque, NM

32. South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, San Jose, CA, April 2005

33. Community Action Program (CAP), 3rd & 4th Areas, Kentucky, United Automobil Workers     (UAW)

34. Community Action Program (CAP), Southern Indiana, United Automobile Workers (UAW)

35. Local 1375, United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Warren, OH, April 19, 2005

36. Western Connecticut Central Labor Council, Waterbury, CT

37. Local 619, Graphic Communications Conference/IBT, Louisville, KY

38. Local 409, Plumbers and Pipefitters, United Association, San Luis Obispo, CA

39. Local 6355, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Missouri State Workers Union

40. District Council 62, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing public employees in Indiana and Kentucky, October, 2005.

41. Kentucky State AFL-CIO, Convention, October 2005

42. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), State of Michigan Employees, Region 1A, Retiree Chapter

43. Local #36, Sheet Metal Workers, St. Louis, Missouri

44. New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU), New York, NY

45. Central New Mexico Labor Council, Albuquerque, NM

46. Building and Construction Trades Council of St. Louis, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, MO

47. Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans

48. Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO Central Labor Council

49. Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, Cape Girardeau, MO

50. District Council 5, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, St. Paul, Minnesota

51. Local 2222, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Boston, MA. Representing 4000 Verizon workers in the Greater Boston area.

52. South Central Federation of Labor, Madison, Wisconsin

53. Local 675, United Steelworkers (USW), Carson, CA, representing workers in Southern California and Nevada

54. Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, Missouri

55. Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Pittsburgh, PA

56. Division 4, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Toledo, OH

57. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 20-20, Aliquippa, PA

58. Local 2320, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, NH

59. Local 2321, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), North Andover, MA

60. Local 2322, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Middleboro, MA

13 International Labor Unions Now Support Single Payer

*7 unions Support  HR 676

•  United Auto Workers

•  United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers

•  United Mineworkers

•  Petroleum, Atomic & Chemical Workers (PACE)

•  SEIU, Service Employees International Union

•  United Steelworkers Of America

•  Transport Workers Union
 

*International Labor Unions That Have Endorsed Single Payer National Health Insurance But Not Specifically HR 676

6 Unions Support Single Payer

•  International Association of Machinists  and Aerospace Workers

•  Graphic Communications International Union

•  American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

•  Communication Workers of America

•  National Education Association

•  The Teamsters