Universal health care tops labor wish list

LIMA - What you call it depends on how you feel about it. Those opposed to the idea call it socialized medicine. Supporters call it universal health care. Whatever the label, local labor leaders call it an idea that's time has come.

The Lima News recently hosted a roundtable discussion with 11 area labor leaders representing the building trades, skilled labor and the local manufacturing base. Of the numerous subjects that came up in the nearly two-hour talk, the idea of a national health care plan took center stage.

"It's the biggest issue we deal with across the table in negotiations. It's the biggest issue everywhere," said Larry Donaldson, president of United Auto Workers union Local 2147, which represents workers at Lima's Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.

To Donaldson and others, the long-running arguments against universal care - namely, long lines and poor service - are being placed on the back burner because millions of Americans have no insurance and millions more can't afford the care they get.

"People say if we have national health care you'll have to wait in line. Of course you will. We've got 40 [million], 50 [million], 60 million people in this country that don't have health care that would have it under national health care. They need to be taken care of, too," Donaldson said.

Paying for all

Health care hasn't always been at the top of unions' to-do lists. Union workers have typically received pretty good insurance coverage under company plans negotiated as part of their contracts. Even today, when an increasing number of U.S. workers are either uninsured or underinsured, their union counterparts are typically covered.

But labor leaders argue it is their job to look out for all American workers, not just their own members. Besides, those with insurance are paying indirectly for those without in higher costs and rates.

"Whether we like it or not, we're paying for health care for everyone anyway. People who don't have insurance, they're going to the emergency room because they have to treat them. That comes back to us," said Jerry Dickrede, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union Local 32. "I guess one way or the other, we have universal care at some level, it's just everybody with insurance that pays it instead of everybody."

System used elsewhere

Most Americans look north when considering a model of what universal care would look like. For many, that means long waits and lower quality, a perception that Donaldson refutes.

"As far as the health care in Canada, it's every bit as good as our. There's a misnomer in this country that our health care is the best in the world. Were about 37th on the list in health care that we receive and on longevity and life expectancy we're about 27th on the list. But we're the most expensive," Donaldson said.

According to the World Health Organization's 2000 World Health Report, the United States spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product on health care than any other country, but ranks 37 out of 191 countries according to its performances. The United Kingdom, which spends just 6 percent of gross domestic product on health services, ranks 18th. Several small countries - including San Marino, Andorra, Malta and Singapore - are rated close behind second-place Italy. Canada ranked 30th in that study.

Election issue

Union leaders are certainly not the only ones talking about universal care. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has included it in his platform, and many who once rejected the idea are giving it a second listen.

Still, to some the idea of nationalized care is a step away from the free market bordering on heresy.

"Why is it a sin in this country to care about everybody's health? Why is it that the trade unions and anybody who brings up universal health care is demoralized or chastised for even bringing it up," said Mike Kinsley, business manager for Plumbers and Pipefitters union Local 776. "A healthy nation is a strong nation, and when you've got 40-some million people who are out there with no health insurance ... you're not a strong nation."

The motivation to initiate a government-managed health care isn't all charitable. A universal system would allow companies to free money now spent for benefits on increased salaries and development. It would also make them more competitive with their foreign competitors, most of whom pay little or no benefits.

"Sometimes I don't understand why business isn't supporting universal health care. This is a big step toward making them competitive," said Kevin Bourk, job security representative for United Auto Workers union Local 1219 at the Lima Ford Engine Plant. "If that can happen, I think labor unions will be strong because companies will be able to start making money again. They start hiring more people and they won't mind taking care of their people."