Resolution Endorsing HR 676 U.S. National Health Insurance Act
WHEREAS over $2 trillion is spent on health care in the U.S. each year, yet over 46 million Americans lack health care coverage, and many millions more have inadequate coverage; and
WHEREAS each year more than 18,000 people die because they cannot afford the health care needed to stay alive; and
WHEREAS the United state is the only industrialized nation without a national financing system for health care; and
WHEREAS the U.S. pays 50 percent more of our Gross Domestic Product on health care than nations with national health care programs, yet according to the World Health Organization ranks a mere 37th in the world in quality of health care; and
WHEREAS approximately 25% of every health care dollar spent in the U.S. goes to private health care administration compared to just 3% for Medicare, which mean over $400 billion each year is spent on paperwork and cost add-ons charged by private health care administrators, primarily to create and manage regulations to screen out high risk patients; and
WHEREAS a bill pending in Congress—HR 676—would provide health insurance to every person in the United States, yet HR 676 would actually save hundreds of billions of dollars in administrative costs; and
WHEREAS everyone would be fully covered; and
WHEREAS HR 676 would provide equal access to all necessary medical care regardless of the income level of individuals/families or employment; and
WHEREAS under HR 676 patients would be free to choose their own private doctors and hospitals; and
WHEREAS HR 676 would cover hospitalization and office visits, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, home health care, nursing home care, long term care, mental health care and rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS HR676 would provide all Americans health care coverage equal to or better than that of each official in Congress;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Democratic Party (WCDCC) endorses HR 676; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congressman Rick Larsen of the 2nd Congressional District is hereby directed to co-sponsor, support, promote and enact HR 676, and report back to this Party about his positions and actions.
(Date Passed 04/08/2006 by Whatcom County Democrats)
