Washington, DC -- L. Toni Lewis, MD, Chair of the 1.1 million nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers of SEIU Healthcare shared this statement today in response to an amendment proposed by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). The Blunt amendment would allow employers to deny essential health insurance coverage to any and all employees based upon their own individual beliefs.

"Let there be no doubt: If passed, the Blunt amendment will put businesses and insurance companies in the driver's seat when it comes to the healthcare decisions of Americans. Under this amendment, any employer could deny their employees basic healthcare coverage, including contraception."

"Republicans in Congress seem intent on creating legislation that interferes with the healthcare decisions of working women and men to deny them the care they need - care they pay for in their insurance premiums.

"Instead of focusing on getting America working again, extremists like Senator Blunt are wasting our time and tax dollars. In this economy, this is definitely not what the doctor ordered."

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. www.seiu.org

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