http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_352226 February 2008
WASHINGTON - The Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) has become the 12th international union to endorse HR 676, national single payer health care legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers, D-Mich.
OPEIU represents more than 100,000 members across the country.
Other international unions that have endorsed HR 676 include the Auto Workers, National Education Association, International Longshore and Warehouse Workers, Letter Carriers, Machinists, Plumbers & Pipefitters, Musicians, Sheet Metal Workers and UE.
HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system in the U.S. by expanding a greatly improved Medicare system to every resident.
The legislation would cover every person in the U. S. for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental
health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care, chiropractic and long term care. Proponents say the plan would save billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and HMOs.
HR 676 currently has 88 co-sponsors in addition to Conyers. It has been endorsed by 378 union organizations in 48 states including 95 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 32 state AFL-CIOs, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO.