Health Care

Health care is a basic human right.  America’s labor movement has worked for more than a century for guaranteed high-quality health care for everyone.  The Affordable Care Act is a historic milestone on this journey, but we still have a long way to go.

America must continue moving forward toward a more equitable and cost-effective health care system. Moving forward means working with employers to demand health care payment and delivery reforms to control costs, allowing people of all ages to buy into the equivalent of Medicare through a public plan option and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.  Of course, the most cost-effective and equitable way to provide quality health care is through the social insurance model (“Medicare for All”), as other industrialized countries have shown. 

The worst thing we could do is move backward by repealing the Affordable Care Act or its key provisions; privatizing Medicare or turning it into a voucher program; raising the Medicare eligibility age; increasing Medicare co-pays and deductibles or otherwise cutting Medicare benefits; or taxing employment-based health care benefits. 

More about this issue:

Jul 7, 2023 | News Story

Around 4 AM Wednesday, UPS walked away from the bargaining table after presenting an unacceptable offer to the Teamsters that did not address members’ needs.

Jul 7, 2023 | News Story

App-based companies that account for nearly all the food deliveries in the city filed suit Thursday to stop

Jul 7, 2023 | News Story

“One job should be enough.” That was the chant and ideal that rang out last Thursday as concession workers at Barclays Center held a rally to push for better pay, better healthcare coverage, and respect from their employer, Levy.

Jul 7, 2023 | News Story

From the New York State AFL-CIO: New York is Union Strong because we are united. We share common values and interests, and we care about each other. One of the most important ways we can grow stronger as a movement is to talk with one another.  

Jun 30, 2023 | News Story

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), announced last night that, by an overwhelming vote of 88% in favor of the union, workers at the Barnes & Noble Park Slope, Brooklyn store have voted to join the RWDSU.

Jun 30, 2023 | News Story

Nearly $80 million in federal funds earmarked for the Staten Island Ferry that was at risk of being rescinded has been maintained in the recent debt ceiling deal. On Wednesday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer visited the St.

Jun 30, 2023 | News Story

Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina:

Jun 30, 2023 | News Story

On Wednesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters walked away from the national bargaining table and officially demanded UPS exchange its last, best, and final offer no later than today, June 30.