Major woe

The number one woe of our retirees and other I have talked with is insurance.

In talking with varied retirees from other organizations and unions, folks on medicare/medicaid, our people, insurance is not as good and far more expensive and complicated than during their working careers. In fact, it is a disaster for many.

Most of our folks on medicare for instance are expected to do more reading and work than an average congressman does in a year. "Paperwork reduction" is they do less paperwork and you do more work.

One solution is rapid passage of HB 676, Medicare for All American's Act. Currently this bill is stalled in committee. It will die in that committee is my belief as have versions of this bill has died in committee since the Truman administration.

Perhaps next administration will pass it, but elements of this bill was proposed by the "bull Moose Party" in 1913. Do not hold your breath.

I have found out that many "union folks" do not know of this proposal. That is sad, very sad for health care is one of the top issues of America. Yes, AFL-CIO and SOAR has endorsed this, but somehow that info did not filter to the "rank and file" of many union families.

Such a bill as 676 is long overdue. SOAR 11-3 after the elections will redouble our efforts to spred the word and we call for all union and social folks to do the same. Force the next congress and president to address this critical issue. Soar (both our little band and national) has been a leader in this area for a long time. Soar 11-3 signed onto this over three years ago.

Time for a little justice in the land.