To a labor union, nothing is more important than its members and their well-being. Our members, like millions of Americans, have been greatly affected by the health care crisis. At both bargaining tables and kitchen tables across the nation, SEIU members have faced increasingly tough decisions about their health care--often sacrificing wage increases for benefits, or going without health insurance entirely. Many members' employers have also approached their Local union asking to re-open their contracts, to roll back hard-earned wages and benefits.
In recent months, members have shared personal stories with us about their struggles with accessing affordable, stable, quality health insurance. They are the face of the health care crisis we face in this country today, and they are the reason we urgently need reform.
Introducing the Faces of Healthcare Reform
For the next two weeks, we'll be sharing stories of SEIU members impacted by our healthcare crisis, and telling the story of how healthcare reform will dramatically change each of their lives...
Meet Donna Jenkins. Our first member story comes from Donna Jenkins, a home healthcare provider and SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH member in Columbus, Ohio.
As a healthcare worker, Donna realizes the importance of having insurance coverage. But after a recent divorce, Donna found herself without health insurance--and unable to afford the high cost of premiums.
"Despite taking good care of myself, eating right and exercising, few insurance companies are willing to cover a woman my age at an affordable price. In fact, I've been quoted rates as high as $3,000 per month for coverage similar to what I previously had. I only make $35,000 a year so at that rate I would literally have to spend all of my income on health insurance.
"I have foregone my yearly exams fearing that if something were found I would be unable to afford treatment and then be subject to pre-existing condition clauses with insurance I may get in the future.
"Being uninsured is, unfortunately, a stress I am forced to live with. Passing healthcare reform would allow me to live knowing that I can acquire access to healthcare I so desperately need."
How health insurance reform will help Donna
Under the healthcare reform bills in both the House and Senate, Donna will be able to find affordable coverage that includes prescription drugs and other benefits that are typical in most employer plans.
Under the House bill, she would pay approximately $292 per month in premiums (10 percent of her income), and her out-of-pocket costs would be limited to $4,500 annually. Donna's costs would be slightly lower under the Senate bill. Her premiums would be roughly $278 per month (9.8 percent of income) and her annual out-of-pocket costs could not exceed approximately $4,000.
Providing Secure, Comprehensive Coverage for Older Workers: Instead of forgoing necessary checkups, screenings and prescriptions while she waits to become eligible for Medicare, workers like Donna would instead be eligible for affordable coverage under both the House and Senate healthcare reform bills.
Stay tuned to SEIU's Blog for more stories on how reform will impact SEIU members.
