In Their Own Words: Mosinee Health Care Rally Video

Last week, Plumbers and Steamfitters United Association (UA) Local 434 hosted a Health Care Rally in Mosinee, WI.  This week, we are pleased to bring you video clips from that successful and well attended event.  In the video above, UA Local 434 leaders, including Business Manager Terry Hayden, Business Agent Dave Branson and Organizer Jay Schmelling tell us some of the reasons why health insurance reform is a priority for their membership.

In our second video clip, Rosie Britz shared some heartbreaking statistics on the nation’s uninsured.  Britz, a member of UA Local 434, took it largely upon herself to organize this rally, because she believes that we must pass legislation which includes a strong public insurance option.

 

Brad Schwanda, Legislative Director for United Auto Workers Region 4, gave a powerful presentation on rising health care costs and related personal bankruptcies.

Schwanda also shared some details about his personal health insurance costs in order to illustrate that the current situation is unsustainable for individuals and employers alike.

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby laid out exactly what union members across the state are fighting for as reform moves forward.  Namely, Newby called for a public health insurance option which is funded through sensible measures such as an employer health insurance mandate.  He also made it clear that taxing the benefits of working families is an unfair and unacceptable.

Of course, there are very real consequences if we fail to pass meaningful health care reform.  In our final video, President Newby shares the story of Jim Cleary, an organizer and friend who died of prostate cancer because he could not afford a routine physical.

The Mosinee Rally was a call to action, and you can still participate.  Even if you have already done so, it is important to call Senators Kohl and Feingold and tell them that we need immediate health insurance reform without a tax on middle class benefits:

1-877-323-5246