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Healthcare Workers Respond to President Trump’s Address to Congress

Boston, MA (March 1, 2017) – In response to President Trump’s address to Congress last night, Tyrék D. Lee, Sr., Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, issued the following statement:

“The agenda laid out by President Trump in his first Congressional address failed to mention or provide specifics on key issues affecting working families in Massachusetts such as healthcare, economic growth and rising income inequality. Repealing the Affordable Care Act without an adequate replacement would be disastrous for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts’ residents – ripping coverage away, increasing costs and weakening insurance protections. Similarly, block granting Medicaid would jeopardize care for thousands of low-income families and threaten healthcare facilities and jobs. At the same time, the address continued a divisive approach to immigration – one that targets the diverse communities that have fueled Massachusetts and this nation for centuries.

The many actions and demonstrations across Massachusetts in recent weeks highlight the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to fighting for economic and social justice, and a democracy that represents everyone. We will continue to work with our community allies and elected leaders to advance the issues that help working people and ensure Massachusetts remains a thriving, welcoming place for all."

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Representing more than 56,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 400,000 workers on the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.