ROAD TO AMERICAN HEALTH CARE PRESS CONFERENCE

WHO:       U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, health care workers, long term care workers,
                 and child care workers from SEIU 775NW, SEIU 925, SEIU 1199NW, and small business owners
WHEN:     Monday, August 11, 11 a.m.
WHERE:   South Lake Union Park, next to the Naval Reserve Building, 850 Terry Ave. N., Seattle.
VISUAL:   SEIU workers and the “Road to American Health Care” bus

Health care costs are spiraling out of control. More than 47 million Americans have no coverage at all. But instead of offering a plan to make sure everyone can get good health care, presidential candidate John McCain’s proposals would actually make it harder to get affordable coverage – and Washington residents are speaking out.

On Monday, Aug. 11, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott will join with health care workers, long term care aides, and child care providers from SEIU Healthcare 775NW, SEIU 925, and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW for a press conference at South Lake Union Park in Seattle.  Speakers will share their stories from the front lines of the health care crisis and distribute a report detailing how John McCain’s health care proposals would actually make it harder for Americans to get coverage, would jeopardize quality by eroding regulations that protect patients, and would do little to prevent the continuing escalation of costs.

The event is part of “The Road to American Health Care,” a national bus tour aimed at mobilizing voters around comprehensive health care reform. The bus tour is being organized by SEIU, the largest union of health care workers in North America, as part of a sweeping campaign to elect a new President and Congress committed to fixing health care -- and then make sure those newly elected leaders immediately pass comprehensive legislation that makes quality health care affordable for everyone.