Supporting Medicare for All: Among those attending the viewing were (L-R): Dan McKisson of ILWU Local 19; ILWU Pensioner Richard Austin; businessman and CEO Richard Master of MCS Industries; Local 19 member Justin Hirsch;
Inlandboatmen’s Union Secretary-Treasurer Terri Mast; and Local 19 member Dan Davies. To arrange a showing of the film at your Local or community center, go to www.fixithealthcare.com
The ILWU Puget Sound District Council and Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies sponsored a September 21showing of the new film called “Fix It: Health Care at the Tipping Point.” The one-hour documentary explains why America’s patchwork of government- funded, privately-controlled, employer-based health care is failing both workers and businesses because it results in higher costs and lower quality than single-payer universal health systems could provide.
Hot topic in Presidential race
The ILWU has long advocated for a single-payer health care system. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders popularized that position with his “Medicare for All” idea that helped him win 13 million votes. That support forced candidate Hillary Clinton to back a flawed “public option” that would allow citizens to buy their own Medicare plans while retaining the private insurance system with a patchwork of regulations and incentives. Donald Trump supports a “free enterprise” plan that would abolish Obama’s Affordable Care Act that would double the number of Americans without health insurance – stripping coverage from 22 million Americans. His system would also use tax breaks that disproportionately favor the super-rich.
Businessman backs “Medicare for All”
A panel discussion followed the screening that included the film’s surprising producer – businessman Richard Master who owns a $200 million framing company, and has become a passionate supporter of affordable, single-payer system, such as “Medicare for All.”
Master says he was increasingly frustrated at the constant rising cost of health care insurance, but had an epiphany after making a trip outside the U.S. where there were better health care systems with more affordable services and much cheaper drug prices. He decided to fund the film in order to share what he’s learned with the public – and urge business leaders here to reconsider their support for the status quo’s excessive costs and quality problems. He says many Canadian business owners can’t understand how their counterparts in the U.S. are still backing a system that hurts both businesses and workers. His film makes a convincing case for U.S. business to reconsider that position.
Experts and activists
Joining Richard Master on the panel were Dr. David McLanahan, Surgeon Emeritus of Pacific Medical Centers and Dr. Stephen Bezruchka of the University of Washington’s School of Health. The event was MC’d by Michael McCann, Director of the Harry Bridges Labor Center.
The Puget Sound District Council (PSDC) spearheaded the evening at the urging of IBU Secretary-Treasurer Terri Mast, who also serves as PSDC Vice President. Additional help was provided by staff at the Harry Bridges Center along with Jimi Limric from Local 9 who also contributed time and effort.
Private insurance and profit Local 19’s Dan McKisson, who helped organize the event, said, “reforming America’s current system – like Obama tried to do – is doomed to fail because of the private, profit making insurance system.” He says the film points out that our current system is much more expensive and delivers lower-quality care than successful single- payer systems operating in other leading nations. McKisson praised the film for explaining how business owners and workers share a common interest in replacing the current system that puts such a heavy burden on employers, unions and remains a leading cause a personal bankruptcy for workers.