Richmond, CA In Support of Universal Health Care

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 10/16/07

Vote: In Favor - 6 Opposed - 0 Absent - 3

Source File: http://tinyurl.com/2kk8ng

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 109-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL, RICHMOND CALIFORNIA, AFFIRMING SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 840 (KUEHL), THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE ACT OF 2007

WHEREAS, The California Universal Healthcare Act, also know as SB 840 (Kuehl), will provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Californians while protecting the right to choose one's own physician; and

WHEREAS, Approval of SB 840 will provide reliable health care coverage in which eligibility is based on residency, instead of on employment or income, and all residents are covered; and,

WHEREAS, No California resident will ever again lose his or her health insurance because of unaffordable insurance premiums, when they change or lose a job or graduate from college, or because they have a pre-existing medical condition; and,

WHEREAS, Funding for SB 840 involves no new spending on health care and is by federal, state and county monies already being spent on health care and by affordable insurance premiums that replace all premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket payments and co-pays now paid by employers and consumers; and

WHEREAS, SB 840 is more efficient, eliminating waste by consolidating the functions of many insurance companies into one comprehensive insurance plan, saving the state and consumers billions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, SB 840 is based on a model that has been estimated to save California about $20 billion through reduced administrative costs in the first year alone; and,

WHEREAS, Under SB 840, California will use its huge purchasing power to buy prescription drugs and durable medical equipment in bulk, using full purchasing power to negotiate the deepest savings; and,

WHEREAS, This model of system wide bulk purchasing could save California 5.2 billion in the first year; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 will make our health care system more reliable and secure by stabilizing the growth in health spending; and,

WHEREAS, Linking spending increases to state Growth Domestic Product and population growth, employment rates and other relevant demographic indicators; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 will combine needed cost controls with medical standards that use the best available medical science, and place an emphasis on preventative and primary care to improve California's overall health in a way that also saves billion of dollars; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 consumers have total freedom to choose their personal primary care provider, and health care providers and facilitates will receive fair reimbursement for all covered services they provide; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 utilizes proven financial incentives that support the delivery of high quality care, including bonuses for providers working in rural or under served areas, and meets needed health care infrastructure such as electronic claims and reimbursement system and statewide medical; and,

WHEREAS, Coverage includes all care prescribed by a patient's health care provider that meets accepted standards of care and practice, including hospital, medical, surgical, and mental heath, dental and vision care prescription drugs and medical equipment, such as hearing aids, emergency care, skilled nursing care after hospitalization, substance abuse recovery programs, health education and translation services, including services for those with hearing and vision impairments, transportation needed to access covered services, diagnostic testing, and hospice care; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 is on file with the Clerk of the City of Richmond which is hereby declared to be a part of this resolution as if set forth fully herein; and,

WHEREAS, SB 840 offers California a broad and clear vision for a remodeled health system that will provide high quality, affordable and reliable health care for all residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Richmond supports SB 840 and thanks the members of the state legislature who have sponsored this critical bill;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council directs the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to our legislative delegation: Congressmen George Miller, State Senator Don Perata, State Senator Tom Torlakson, Assemblymember Loni Hancock, Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier and including State Senator Sheila Kuehl.