CITY-COUNTY SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO. , 2007
A SPECIAL RESOLUTION supporting the United States National Health Insurance Act and State legislation enacting universal publicly paid health insurance.
WHEREAS, everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare; and
WHEREAS, more than 860,000 Hoosiers and 46 million Americans live with no health insurance, of which approximately one quarter of these individuals are children, even though over 80% of these families have at least one family member who is employed; and
WHEREAS, small and large businesses alike are finding it increasingly difficult to provide health insurance to their employees due to growing premiums, and even those employees that receive some health benefits are often under-insured, facing rising co-payments and deductibles, and lack sufficient coverage for vital care and medications; and
WHEREAS, the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the nation is due to prolonged illness and medical bills, and Indiana has one of the highest rates of medical bankruptcy in the country; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated by the Institute of Medicine that 18,000 people die every year due to lack of insurance and access to adequate health care; and
WHEREAS, United States Representatives John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich have introduced House Resolution 676 (HR 676), the United States National Health Insurance Act, which would provide necessary health care to all; and
WHEREAS, the Public Health Committee of the Indiana House of Representatives is also currently considering a proposal draft for universal publicly paid health care in Indiana; now, therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY-COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS AND OF MARION COUNTY, INDIANA:
SECTION 1. The Indianapolis City-County Council expresses its support for HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act and respectfully encourages elected federal officials to endorse and adopt the resolution.
SECTION 2. The Council further supports and endorses State legislation providing universal publicly paid health insurance for all Indiana residents.
SECTION 3. The Council directs the Clerk to send of a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation, other members of Congress in positions of leadership in the House and Senate with jurisdiction over public health initiatives, the Governor of the State of Indiana, and other legislative officials as deemed appropriate.
SECTION 4. The Mayor is invited to join in this resolution by affixing his signature hereto.
SECTION 5. This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon adoption and compliance with IC 36-3-4-14.