Copyright berkshireeagle
To the editor: As union members, we know what it means to stand together for the essentials that keep families safe and communities strong. Right now, Republicans in Congress are holding the federal budget hostage and threatening a shutdown to push cuts that would rip away healthcare from millions of families. Working families already carry enough burdens: rising costs, stagnant wages and the daily stress of making ends meet. Increasing health care costs in the middle of these challenges is not just irresponsible, it’s cruel. Democrats are standing firm to protect Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts because they understand healthcare is a lifeline, not a bargaining chip. Working people can’t afford higher premiums or lost coverage just to satisfy an extremist agenda. Unfortunately, Republicans are willing to gamble with our health, our jobs and our economy to score political points. Unions fight for good jobs, fair wages and benefits at the bargaining table, and Congress should do no less for the American people. Mark Knudsen, Valatie, N.Y.
