Helena, Montana. Delegates to the 52nd Annual Montana AFL-CIO State Convention have approved a resolution endorsing HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), reports Jim McGarvey, Executive Secretary of the Montana AFL-CIO.

Montana is the 35th state AFL-CIO to endorse HR 676. The endorsement resolution was submitted by the Montana Education Association/Montana Federation of Teachers, a joint state affiliate of the NEA and AFT.

The resolution adopted by the Montana delegates begins:

"Whereas a single-payer health care system throughout the United States would enhance the health care and lives of every American, and Whereas organized working men and women every day sacrifice salary to the rising cost of health care, Whereas a taxpayer funded health care system has proven to work well for senior citizens (Medicare), children of families living in or close to poverty (CHIP), and veterans (VA),"

and concludes:

“Whereas the Montana AFL-CIO can help solving the health care crisis in America by urging Congress to adopt a single-payer health care plan such as HR 676,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Montana AFL-CIO endorse and promote a single-payer universal system of health care such as HR 676.”