PITTSBURGH, Feb. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement today in response to the changes to the excise tax on high cost health plans in President Obama’s budget proposal:

“President Obama’s budget makes clear that the Affordable Care Act’s so-called “Cadillac Tax, is bad tax policy. However, the small changes that the president proposes will not fix a tax designed to make working families pay more for their health care.

“USW members already see the effects of this tax at the bargaining table where employers propose to increase deductibles and copays. Our union has strongly supported the bipartisan efforts in Congress to repeal the tax. Full repeal is the only solution.”

The USW represents 850,000 members employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations. For more information: www.usw.org

CONTACT: Anna Fendley (202) 778-3306  afendley@usw.org

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