The Roofers Union Calls for the Repeal of Obamacare

by John Hawkins | April 20, 2013 3:00 pm

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers supported Obamacare when it was being pushed through, but the law is turning out to be such a disaster that it’s become the first union to call for its repeal.

The president of the union, Kinsey Robinson, says he’s concerned that his members may lose their existing healthcare plans. Additionally, the way the Affordable Care Act is written may force the union to drop its health care plan for retirees.

Roofers Union[1]

Currently, the union’s health care plan covers up to 2 million dollars in lifetime medical bills for active members of the union, but that amount is quite understandably capped at $50,000 for retirees. Because of Obamacare, the retiree plans would have to become more expensive and the $50,000 caps would have to be removed. Those enormous new costs are putting the Roofers Union in the unenviable position of having to choose between paying out more than it can afford and just dropping the retiree plans altogether.

Kinsey Robinson released the following statement.

“Our Union and its members have supported President Obama and his Administration for both of his terms in office.

But regrettably, our concerns over certain provisions in the ACA have not been addressed, or in some instances, totally ignored. In the rush to achieve its passage, many of the Act’s provisions were not fully conceived, resulting in unintended consequences that are inconsistent with the promise that those who were satisfied with their employer sponsored coverage could keep it.

These provisions jeopardize our multi-employer health plans, have the potential to cause a loss of work for our members, create an unfair bidding advantage for those contractors who do not provide health coverage to their workers, and in the worst case, may cause our members and their families to lose the benefits they currently enjoy as participants in multi-employer health plans.

For decades, our multi-employer health and welfare plans have provided the necessary medical coverage for our members and their families to protect them in times of illness and medical needs. This collaboration between labor and management has been a model of success that should be emulated rather than ignored. I refuse to remain silent, or idly watch as the ACA destroys those protections.

I am therefore calling for repeal or complete reform of the Affordable Care Act to protect our employers, our industry, and our most important asset: our members and their families.”

Sorry to say this, buddy, but, WE TOLD YOU SO.

Endnotes:
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