Union Members Rally Around “Wall of Shame”

Yesterday in Mosinee, WI, United Association Local 434 hosted a rally for health insurance reform. 

“The House of Representatives passed a comprehensive reform bill, and we are calling on the Senate to follow suit.  A public insurance option which will control costs and expand access to health care is critical,” said UA Local 434 Business Agent Dave Branson.  “We are also here to remind the Senate that reform cannot be financed through a tax on middle class benefits.  Working families are already tapped out.”

The rally highlighted the experiences of Central Wisconsin residents who have fallen through the cracks of our broken health care system.  Community members shared their real-life medical stories illustrating the urgent need for reform on the health care “Wall of Shame.”

Featured speakers included Karen Graff from the Office of Sen. Russ Feingold, Nathan Myszka from the Office of Rep. David Obey, United Auto Workers Region 4 Legislative Director Brad Schwanda, and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby.

Schwanda’s presentation provided insight into health care related bankruptcies, leaving no doubt that the status quo is financially unsustainable.

Participants at the rally wrote letters and made phone calls to the Senate, calling for immediate passage of reform that includes a robust public health insurance option, requires all employers to pay their fair share, and rejects new taxes that would hurt working families.

“This is no time for partisan stall tactics,” said President Newby.  “Delaying action on health care legislation has very real consequences, not just in terms of dollars but more importantly in terms of human lives.”

The press turned out in force to report on how the health care crisis is affecting working families.   The personal story of UA Local 434 member Allan Gulke was the lead story on the WAOW (ABC) evening news:
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11602282&Call=Email&Format=Text

The Wausau Daily Herald, Stevens Point Journal, and Wisconsin Rapids Tribune ran this lengthy story:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20091202/WDH0101/912020675/Unions-rally-for-health-care-reform

Seven other newspapers across the state ran a shorter version of the same article:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991201137

Wisconsin Public Radio and The City Pages also covered the event.

(Top Photo: Rosie Britz of UA Local 434 moderated the event.  Middle Photo: Health Care "Wall of Shame" featuring personal health care stories.  Bottom Photo: UAW Region 4 Legislative Director Brad Schwanda makes the economic case for reform. Credit for All Photos: Andy Thompson.  For more pictures from Mosinee, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157622917576242/.)