The HEALS Act: Neither Heroic – Nor Healing
On July 27th, Senate Republicans announced the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act. In stark contrast to the HEROES Act passed on May 15th by the House of Representatives, the HEALS Act strips working families of lifesaving economic and healthcare benefits and does nothing for small businesses, state and local governments. On July 31st, Senate Republicans allowed the supplemental unemployment insurance, a lifeline for working families, small business and communities, to lapse. Senate Republicans are also advocating to reduce the supplemental $600 payment per week to only $200. Another troubling aspect of the HEALS Act is the push by the Senate Republicans to shield corporations from any liability should employees contract the virus at work.
UAW is calling on the US Senate to pass a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that mirrors the HEROES Act.
We're asking you to tell your US Senator that the next COVID-19 relief package must include the following:
- Extension of the existing CARES Act unemployment insurance provisions through January 2021.
- $17 billion for a comprehensive COVID-19 testing and contact tracing program.
- 100% tax credit for COBRA coverage premiums through January 2021.
- Hazard pay for essential workers equal to $13 per hour.
- Uniform and enforceable OSHA health and safety standards for employers.
- Fair and balanced provisions that will hold corporations liable for failing to provide safe working conditions for their employees who contract COVID-19 at work.