Washington, DC--Following President Obama's State of the Union address, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andy Stern issued the following statement regarding the future of healthcare reform:

Tonight, President Obama laid out a bold plan for a 21st century economy that will rebuild, revive and restore the Middle Class and with it, the American Dream.

Our path forward must solve the healthcare crisis that has plagued this nation, dragged down our economy and cost too many lives.

Fixing healthcare will reduce the deficit. It will create up to 4 million new jobs in cities and towns all around this country. Healthcare reform is undeniably linked to our economic recovery. And let's not ever forget, it's the right thing to do.

And as President Obama made clear tonight, we cannot walk away from healthcare reform, we cannot walk away from the millions of families across desperate for that security. This nation can - this nation must - meet this challenge now.

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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