March, 20 2009, 02:38pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lori Lodes, 202-730-7680
Mark McCullough, 202-730-7283
SEIU: CBO Deficit Projections Reinforce 'Now Is the Time to Take Action' to Fix America's Broken Healthcare System
WASHINGTON
"The deficit projections reinforce that the economic crisis Obama inherited from the previous administration requires bold solutions, like those proposed in the President's budget." said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger. "If we do not address the healthcare crisis now, our deficits will grow even greater and our economy will continue to spiral out of control."
The release of new deficit projections today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) emphasize the need for Congress to pass President Obama's budget so that we can fix the major underlying problems with America's economy.
"Now is the time to take action," said Burger. "American families cannot afford to wait for the change that is necessary to reform our economy and broken healthcare system. We cannot let opponents of change stand in the way. Our choice is clear: change or more of the same."
Crushing health care costs have made it impossible to strengthen our economy. President Obama takes concrete steps toward improving health care coverage by laying out a way to pay for these reforms, while cutting taxes for 95 percent of Americans.
"Too many Americans no longer have the choice between paying their mortgage or paying their medical bills. People like Paula Hall, a child care worker from Spokane, who-failing to qualify for state aid and unable to afford COBRA-lost her home to spiraling medical debt," said Burger. "We cannot afford to wait. To fix the economy, we must fix healthcare - this year. That's why Congress must match the President's commitment and support a significant upfront investment in the budget to reform America's healthcare system."
With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.
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