Philadelphia, PA The Delegates’ Assembly of District 1199C, Philadelphia Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (AFSCME), voted unanimously October 8th to endorse HR 676, the national single payer health care bill introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D MI).

Following the vote 1199C President Henry Nicholas said: “No one has been more out front on single payer than our union. More than 77 million people will be without health care insurance as a result of the current economic collapse. We need HR 676 now more than ever.”

Walter Tsou, MD, a past national president of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and past president of the American Public Health Association, addressed the Delegates Assembly on the issue of single payer prior to the vote.

District 1199C represents 17,000 workers in major hospitals and other health institutions in the Philadelphia area.