SEIU Urges Changes In Senate Health Care Bill, Calls Out Obama

[Techn0Girl]

Source: Huffington Post

A top labor leader urged Congress and the White House on Thursday to make major improvements to the Senate health care legislation, suggesting that the labor community could not support the current incarnation.

"I believe this is the moment when we must stand as one and say enough," Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern wrote in a letter to his fellow members.

While he stopped short of formally opposing the bill that is making its way through the Senate, he did express outrage over the concessions made to Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.). "The public option is declared impossible. Americans cannot purchase Medicare at an earlier age. The health insurance reform effort we have needed for a century is at risk," Stern wrote.

And in a significant change of tone, Stern -- who has visited the White House more than any other labor official -- called out President Barack Obama for moving away from the promises of his campaign.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/17/seiu-urges-changes-in-sen_n_395411.html

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We're seeing opposition to this bill more and more from Union Leaders.

[Justitia]

1. Good for him! Union mbrs totally get the shaft in this bill's latest form. -eom

[Cant trust em]

2. At this point, they should just formally oppose the bill.

They've essentially said that they don't like the process, but don't call for the bill to die.

"I believe this is the moment when we must stand as one and say enough"

So if they "say enough" does that mean that they're willing to take these changes and no more?

[No Elephants]

6. Sounds like formal opposiiton to me. IMO, saying this is short of formal opposition is Huffpo's

spin.

[tabatha]

3. Dean made a remark on Joe this morning

This bill will set the tome for health care for the rest of the life of this country.

[Poll_Blind]

4. This is another reason why Unions are good things to have around. K&R n/t

PB

[tridim]

5. A sane, rational, mature opposition to the current state of the Senate bill..

Take note Chicken Little Underground.

[tomm2thumbs]

7. there is no reason they cannot replace what they have pulled with an alternative

they continue cross out parts of the bill and then wonder why the thing doesn't work any more - that is called extremely bad legislating. Just because it still has thousands of pages does not mean it is saying anything.

[No Elephants]

8. Proposed bill. All American citizens shall be eligible for Medicare as soon as the price is deter-

mined. The price for coverage for those not over 65 or eligible for disability medicare coverage shall be based upon a sliding scale to be determined by Congress in conjunction with the Congressional Budget Office not later than December 31, 2011. Every adult must participate in Medicare, unless the adult obtains equivalent coverage from a private insurer of his or her choice. This bill may not be amended or repealed except by a bill passed by a vote of 2/3 in each house of Congress, with the yeas and nays recorded, and signed by the President.

[tomm2thumbs]

9. print it - sign it. Done.

They put 2000 pages in so they have a job. It is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. 'Of COURSE you need a haircut'

[No Elephants]

10. Are you saying you don't like my hair? Do I look fat in this hair? Is that it?

j/k I appreciate your "vote."

[Laelth]

11. k&r for labor. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[damntexdem]

12. Kill the bill! Call a general strike if it passes.

No, the populace in general wouldn't respond, nor would labor in general. But all those government employees!

[Odin2005]

13. K&R for Labor!