Andy Stern in Seattle: Health Care Reform on Track in Washington, DC

August 12, 2009 -- SEIU President Andy Stern hears personal, tragic health care stories everywhere he travels. He’s confident new stories will stop soon when Congress passes health care reform.

“We can’t afford to lose,” Stern said. “America can’t afford to lose the health care battle.”

Stern was in Seattle Tuesday touting health care reform, arguing that part of that reform must include a public option that creates competition and cuts cost.

In the health care reform battle, Stern praised Washington. The state’s two senators now say they support a public option.
 
“Calls make the difference,” Stern said. “Keep the pressure on them and don’t let them waiver.”

Members of SEIU Healthcare 775NW have been calling congress to express their support of health care reform over the past few months. In a recent nationwide SEIU calling campaign, Stern said Washington State members generated 25 percent of the total calls. Approximately 80% of those calls were made by 775NW members.

In the last week, media attention has focused on people who are intentionally trying to disrupt congressional town hall meetings organized around health care reform.

“We are watching a titanic fight between the power of fear and the power of hope,” Stern said. “The power of fear always has the advantage.”

Stern wants people to get past the fear, and ask, what does healthcare reform mean to my family?

“They’re going to like the answer,” he said.

Stern spent the day in Seattle meeting touring several health care facilities and meeting with members of SEIU Healthcare 775NW, SEIU Local 6, SEIU Local 925 and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Andy Stern is the president of the 2 million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents public employees, health care and property services workers throughout North America.

SEIU Healthcare 775NW represents 37,000 long-term care workers in Washington State and Montana.