FAIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

WHEREAS, public employees make a valuable contribution to the health and welfare of all citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, public employees' health care benefits in many states have diminished while their health care benefit cost is rising dramatically; and

WHEREAS, this reduction of benefits along with this substantial health care benefit cost increase is forcing many valuable, dedicated and capable public employees to seek other employment outside of the public service in order for them to be able to provide a fair living standard for their families; and

WHEREAS, taxpayers deserve the highest level and quality of public services through the retention and attraction of the highest-caliber public employees; and

WHEREAS, many state employee benefit packages do not attract or retain high-caliber public employees:

RESOLVED, that the AFT support the right of all public employees to receive a fair and affordable health care benefit package.