Media Matters: Health Insurance Reform Earns Green Bay Press, as the Labor Movement Says Goodbye to One of the Best

Wisconsin union members are, “Sick of It!”  The way insurance companies put profits over people and deny coverage to the sick should be criminal.  On October 7, members of the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council and UFCW Local 1473 joined protesters from Health Care for America Now and Citizen Action for a rally outside of United Health Group offices in Howard, WI.  The protesters held a mock funeral for those who will die from lack of insurance, in hope that actions like this around the country will highlight the need for immediate health care reform with a strong public insurance option.

The event drew both television and newspaper coverage in the Green Bay area.

Fox 11 TV Green Bay: http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local_wluk_howard_health_insurance_protest_100720092100_rev1
 
NBC 26 TV Green Bay: http://www.nbc26.com/Global/story.asp?S=11277813

Green Bay Press-Gazette: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091008/GPG0101/910080567/1978

The Green Bay Press-Gazette also picked up on the joint health insurance reform opinion editorial by Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and Wisconsin Medical Society which has run in newspapers across the state: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910070495

On a much sadder note, the Wisconsin union movement is mourning the death one of its most beloved and affective advocates. 

Rudy Kuzel, former President of UAW Local 72, lost his battle with cancer this month, and the local media reaction makes it clear that he will be dearly missed.

This letter of remembrance from Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby was printed in the Racine Journal Times: http://journaltimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_b17f79fe-b6d3-11de-850a-001cc4c03286.html

While the Kenosha News has run several articles Kuzel’s life: http://www.kenoshanews.com/scripts/edoris/edoris.dll?tem=lsearchart&search_iddoc=6523103

http://www.kenoshanews.com/scripts/edoris/edoris.dll?tem=lsearchart&search_iddoc=6511163

For perspective on Kuzel’s role in the national and international labor movement, please read this article from In These Times: http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/4995/america_loses_a_true_working-class_hero/

(Photos: “Sick of It” mock funeral held outside of the offices of United Health Group in Howard, WI.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  For more pictures visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157622544992884/)