Daily Archives: November 13, 2009

health care, labor

‘Health Care for All’ Advocates Dig In for Long Fight

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Photo: Gilda Deferrari, PDA member in Hopewell Township, sends Altmire a message to change course on health care

Health Care ‘Street Heat’
On the Rise at Altmire’s
Aliquippa Office

By Carl Davidson
Beaver County Blue

Nov. 12, 2009 – The ongoing battle over health care reform hit the streets of Aliquippa, Pa on this mild and sunny fall afternoon, as nearly 50 Beaver County residents chanted slogans and heard searing speeches over their lunch hour at the local offices of 4th CD Congressman, Jason Altmire. At the close of the rally, they marched into the building and packed the office vestibule, leaving written statements and petitions.

The message was loud and clear. The health care crisis, expanding costs and shrinking coverage, was taking a heavy toll on the working class and retirees of this entire economically distressed Ohio River Valley region. The gathering here was angry with Altmire’s ‘No’ vote on the current health care reform package in the Congress, and demanded that he change course. Continue reading ‘Health Care for All’ Advocates Dig In for Long Fight →

elections

Employer-based health coverage is disappearing in PA

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jobless
Jobless - No healthcare

by Randy Shannon

Employer health care drops faster in PA

Employer-based health coverage is disappearing faster in Pennsylvania than it is in any other state except Michigan, according to a study released by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and the Washington, D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute. Since the turn of the century, there are 694,471 fewer people who receive their coverage from their employers across the state. The survey compared 2000 and 2001 to 2007 and 2008. Also, 201,425 fewer children are on their parents’ benefits packages than there were seven years earlier, the study found.

In light of these facts here are the thoughts of two concerned people in the PA 4th CD whose seat in the House is occupied by former corporate lobbyist Jason Altmire. The first is an email communication from Joel Brown of Espyville that tells about the suffering of our people who do not have access to healthcare. The second is an open letter to Cong. Altmire from Dr. Joe Talarico of Zelienople in response to his vote against healthcare reform.

Continue reading Employer-based health coverage is disappearing in PA →