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:

Dec 16, 2022 | News Story

Workers at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery flagship on Manhattan’s 9th Avenue ended a seven-week strike and returned to work on Monday, after securing an agreement that commits the coffee chain to regularly scrub equipment at outposts nationwide.

Dec 9, 2022 | News Story

After 20 months of negotiations, members of the New York Times Guild walked out yesterday due to the company’s failure to bargain in good faith and reach a fair contract agreement with the workers.

Dec 9, 2022 | News Story

The workers of OnPoint NYC this week announced their intent to organize a union and be represented by the New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE.

Dec 9, 2022 | News Story

1700 part-time faculty members at The New School, members of UAW Local 7902, are still on strike demanding a contract that provides real raises, expanded health coverage, greater job security, more input into curricula, and real recourse against harassment and discrimination.

Dec 9, 2022 | News Story

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is in a funding crisis. We need a fully funded NLRB to investigate unfair labor practices and conduct union elections.

Dec 9, 2022 | News Story

Ashley Mason delivered packages for Amazon for over a year. She was injured four times and was in so much pain that she couldn't work and was eventually fired. She never received any compensation for her treatment or missed time at work.

Dec 2, 2022 | News Story

Writers Guild of America, East members at Hearst Media and supporters including the NYC CLC rallied in front of Hearst Tower on Monday night, demanding that the company stop stalling and agree to a fair first contract.

Dec 2, 2022 | News Story

Rain or shine, NYSNA members are always ready to fight for safe staffing! On Wednesday, nurses and allies including the NYC CLC rallied on the steps of City Hall and testified at a City Council oversight hearing on the state of nursing.

Dec 2, 2022 | News Story

1700 part-time faculty members at The New School, members of UAW Local 7902, are still on strike demanding a contract that provides real raises, expanded health coverage, greater job security, more input into curricula, and real recourse against harassment and discrimination.

Dec 2, 2022 | News Story

Union members at HarperCollins, one of the largest publishers in the country, are beginning the fourth week of their strike, which began on November 10th after a drawn out negotiation process, with workers asking for higher wages, stronger commitments to diversifying staff and better family leave