Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
Healthcare for All Rally 2024
RPEC joined Health Care for All-Washington, Health Care Is a Human Right WA, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA), Whole Washington, and several other organizations at the Capitol steps on March 6, the last day of the legislative session, rallying to call for universal health care and celebrating legislative victories that will help to pave the way for an affordable, equitable, and accessible health care system in Washington.
The program featured Ashley Fueston, Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Vice President; Senator Bob Hasegawa; Senator Patty Kuderer; and dozens more. Leaders in the universal health care movement talked about solutions to our flawed health care system: the Universal Health Care Commission, the Washington Health Trust, and fighting against the total privatization of Medicare.
Laurie Weidner, RPEC Executive Director, was invited to speak on behalf of RPEC and the Public Employees’ Benefits Board (PEBB) Medicare Stakeholders’ Coalition. Laurie addressed the Coalition’s success in protecting one of only two non-privatized plans offered by PEBB for public sector retirees, and the Coalition’s policy work with the Health Care Authority. On behalf of the Seattle-King County NAACP and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Puget Sound, Claude Burfect, RPEC District 9 Representative, addressed the dangers of a profit-driven health care system, which disproportionately harms people of color. Chapter 3 members Gwen Rench, Mike Warren, and Linda Warren also joined in the call for universal health care from the Capitol steps.
