Sens. Murray and Cantwell have been terrific leaders for all of us in the health care reform arena. However, we are getting down to the wire now, and it is imperative we get some things very right.

One such measure is meaningful employer responsibility, specifically for large wealthy corporations.

A recent report by my union, the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers), revealed that the Senate bill includes little or no incentive for Walmart to provide insurance to more workers OR provide better care. This would force low-income Walmart workers into situations where they must spend thousands on out-of-pocket costs. It also would continue the current state of many of these workers and their families of dependence on federal and states subsidies for Medicaid and SCHIP.

A second important measure is not to cause further distress to the middle class by taxing any part of health care insurance we have worked so hard to win in contracts.

Again, Sens. Murray and Cantwell have worked hard for us, but they must stand even more tall, fight even harder. We are counting on them. Now.

– Pam Milan