Chicago, Illinois. Rejecting a “band-aid approach” to healthcare, the University Professionals of Illinois, AFT Local 4100, endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich).

“Beyond the fact that 46 or 47 million uninsured Americans are forced to play Texas Hold ‘Em with their health care, nearly a third of our health care dollars supports private insurance bureaucracy and paperwork. That’s not health care. That’s waste,” said Sue Kaufman, UPI Local 4100 president.

AFT local 4100 represents faculty and staff in 12 chapters at seven public universities in Illinois. It is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, and the AFL-CIO. The Executive Board of the 3,000 member local unanimously approved the endorsement on December 1.

Another AFT affiliated group, the Illinois Federation of Teachers Universities Council, also endorsed HR 676.