One of the nation’s biggest unions is withholding its support of the Democratic health care proposal because it does not include a government-run health care option and will subject many union members to a tax on their current health care plans.
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Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern sent a letter to members outlining the problems he has with the current proposal, which substitutes a government-run plan with a national health insurance program similar to the one offered to federal employees.
“For many people, care will still be too expensive to afford,” Stern wrote. “Some of you would face an additional burden because your health insurance benefits would be taxed. And the best way we saw possible to hold insurance companies accountable was no longer an option.”
Stern — who has perhaps been the most frequent visitor to the White House this year — also warned Obama to not forget his campaign promises and the efforts the SEIU made to get him elected president.
“We all stood shoulder to shoulder with the President during his hard fought campaign and we will continue to stand with him but he must fight for the reform we all know is possible,” Stern said.
