RESOLUTION NO. 155, SERIES 2006
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT.
SPONSORED BY: Councilwoman Mary Woolridge
Whereas, every person in Metro Louisville and in the United States deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare; and
On the left is District 3 Councilwoman
Mary Woolridge, sponsor of the
Louisville Metro Council Resolution in
support of HR 676, Congressman
John Conyers’ national single payer
health act that would assure health
care for all. On the right is Joan
Dubay, Coordinator of the Metro
Council Committee of Kentuckians for
Single Payer Health Care. The photo
was taken on Oct. 12, 2006, shortly
after the council voted in favor of the
resolution, 14 to 9 with 1 abstention
and 1 voting present.
Whereas, over 45.8 million Americans, including 85,000 residents of Metro Louisville, live daily without healthcare coverage; and
Whereas, those insured now often experience burdensome medical debt and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining healthcare; and
Whereas, one-half of all personal bankruptcies are due to illnesses or medical bills; and
Whereas, administrative costs for our current healthcare system consume approximately thirty percent (30%) of United States healthcare spending, with rising costs contributing to decreased international business competitiveness and massive layoffs; and
Whereas, United States Representative John Conyers has introduced House Resolution 676, (hereinafter referred to as HR 676), The United States National Health Insurance Act, which would provide healthcare to all; and
Whereas, the goal of HR 676 is to ensure that all Americans have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost-effective healthcare services regardless of their employment, income, or healthcare status; and
Whereas, HR 676 will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment; and
Whereas, HR 676 will give patients their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, and clinics with no co-pays or deductibles in a publicly financed, privately delivered system;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE COUNCIL) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Metro Council of Louisville, Kentucky hereby supports and endorses HR 676, “United States Health Insurance Act;” and respectfully requests our elected federal officials to endorse and adopt HR 676; and the Council Clerk is authorized and directed to forward copies of this Resolution to our federal legislators and to our area state legislators to enlist their support of this vital piece of legislation.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
Louisville Metro Council members and members of
Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare (KSPH)
were all smiles on October 12 after the council
voted, 14 to 9 with 1 abstention and 1 voting
present, to urge Congress to pass HR 676,
Congressman John Conyers’ national single
payer health plan. L to R: Councilman Dan
Johnson, Harriette Seiler, Mark McKinley, Kristin
Munro Leighton, Councilwoman Vicki Welch, Kay
Tillow, Councilwoman Mary Woolridge (sponsor
of the resolution), and Joan Dubay (coordinator
of the KSPH Committee that organized for the
resolution).
Kathleen J. Herron
Metro Council Clerk
Kevin J. Kramer
President of the Council
Approval Date: October 17, 2006
Jerry E. Abramson
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Irv Maze
Jefferson County Attorney