Our health care system is in a crisis. You can see this at the barganing table where the soaring cost of health insurance has led to lower wages, higher premium payments, and smaller benefits. A survey commissioned by a nonpartisan organization that questioned sick adults in the U.S., Canada, and four other industrialized nations found that "the United States stood out of having the highest error rates, most disorganized care, and the highest costs" of all. (Washington Post, 11/4/05) In other words, we're paying more and getting less.

More and more employers don't provide health insurance - many of those want to but can't afford it. So more and more people go without health insurance.

Our current system doesn't have cracks - it has canyons - where over 45 million people fall through.

This sets up a vicious cycle: more people go without insurance, when they use medical services more costs are then shifted by hospitals and doctors to the insurance companies, insurance companies raise their rates to cover their increased costs, more people go without insurance because they can't afford it.

And on it goes.

The reality today is that none of us have it until all of us have it.

The Missoula Area Central Labor Council is tackling this issue on the local level.
The Got It? Campaign goal is affordable health care for everyone

There are many practical ways to reform the system to provide health care coverage for all, some of which have already been worked out in great detail. We're not advocating for one solution over another right now. Only that health care coverage includes everyone in an affordable way. It can be done. What's lacking is the political courage by our elected leaders. One way we're going to reach our goal is to make this a campain issue in the upcoming elections for the state and federal offices.

This is where the labor movement comes in.

We need to have informed and mobilized citizens to give the courage to our leaders. We will start with our own Union members. Already, there are churches, doctors, small business owners, and other concerned citizens who are interested in joining forces with us.

And the labor movement ought to be leading the way. Union health insurance plans have long been one of the benefits that makes Union membership attractive the the unorganized. But if we don't find a solution, then we will no longer be able to keep the benefits close to the current levels, or worst yet, lose our coverage all togeather!

None of us have it until we all of us have it.

Right now, the Missoula Area CLC has a plan to begin to build support for universal health care in the Missoula area. We're asking your Union and 48 other Missoula-area Unions for $100 and some volunteers to help achieve the goals that we've set for ourselves in the next 6 months. Of course, we will be greatful for more or less that this.

So far the Building Trades Unions and the Missoula Area CLC have togeather put in almost $2,000 for the Got It? Campaign. We spoke with over a thousand people at the Western Montana Fair this past summer. We have made presentations before community groups, and have worked to include the issue in the Best Value Contracting effort with both the Missoula City and County Governments. This month we tabled at Southgate Mall during the Health Fair, talking to the public about the campaign.

One of the good things that will happen because of this joint effort will be the realization that good things can happen for working families when we join togeather to tackle a task. Volunteer help and $100.00 from your Union will be a great way to ensure that the Got It? train leaves the station and goes on its way to affordable healthcare for everyone.

If you have questions about the Got It? Campaign, please contact Mark Anderlik at:
^{phone -} 406-549-5931
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If you want to contribute to the Got It? Campaign, please send it to the:
Missoula Area CLC
208 E. Main St.
Missoula MT, 59802.

We appreciate any and all contributions that you feel you acn make at this time towards the Got It? Capmpaign. Thank you for your generous contribution. Together we can make a difference on this important issue.